EU to disburse Sh1.2bn to 23 drought hit counties
What you need to know:
- Should the crisis reach an emergency phase, like the regional drought of 2011, the Fund would help provide key veterinary drugs, emergency therapeutic feeding of people, and support cash vouchers for food and emergency supplies of drinking water.
The European Union has provided the National Drought Management Agency(NDMA) with Sh570 million for its drought crisis preparedness and response fund, the agency said in a press statement.
Funds are expected to be immediately dispersed to many of the 23 arid and semi-arid counties to reduce the impact of unusually low rainfall on livestock and livelihoods.
"It is designed to deliver a quick response from the Agency to Counties in the lead up to and in the event of an official drought being declared in order to mitigate its destructive effects," the EU Delegation said in a press statement.
NDMA has issued drought warning alerts in areas including Samburu, West Pokot, Wajir, Turkana, Taita Taveta, Narok, Tharaka, Nyeri and Mwngi.
In the normal phase, even before rainfall declines, a wide range of preparations will be supported including digging emergency boreholes, building more animal fodder storage and increasing relationships between neighbouring pastoral communities to prevent conflict.
Lack of sufficient and late rains this year have affected planting and is expected to lead to low production of major food products that will adversely affect arid areas.
The EU is spending Sh10 billion over the next 4 years in this area.
In each phase there is a comprehensive set of activities involving livestock and agriculture, water and nutrition, education and conflict. In the alarm and emergency phases of a drought, County plans will focus on saving livestock and protecting livelihoods.
For animals, there will be supplementary feeding, emergency vaccinations and measures to open up unused pasture. Measures also go towards increasing water supplies such as storage and rehabilitation of shallow wells.
Should the crisis reach an emergency phase, like the regional drought of 2011, the Fund would help provide key veterinary drugs, emergency therapeutic feeding of people, and support cash vouchers for food and emergency supplies of drinking water.
An additional Sh650 million will be provided by the European Union for further activities soon.
“Drought and the impact on food supply is a real and increasing problem for hundreds of thousands living in the arid areas of Kenya," said Erik Habers, Head of Development at the European Union in Kenya.
