Red Cross says drought looming in northern Kenya
A woman moves with her children following drought in Samburu. The Kenya Red Cross says drought is looming in some parts of northern Kenya after poor rainfall. Mandera, Turkana, Wajir, Baringo, Marsabit, and Samburu are the most affected counties. PHOTO | JAMES KARIKUKI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Much needs to be done to feed the more than two million people who are at risk of starvation.
- Most affected counties are Mandera, Turkana, Wajir, Baringo, Marsabit, and Samburu.
- Kenya Red Cross secretary general Abbas Gullet said relevant bodies should not wait for people to die for it to act.
- Red Cross has also called for the rehabilitation of water points in strategic places in the affected counties.
The Kenya Red Cross says drought is looming in some parts of northern Kenya after poor rainfall.
Although the drought will not be as bad as experienced in 2011, the agency says much needs to be done to feed the more than two million people who are at risk of starvation.
The KRC also wants government to support the school feeding programme to keep children in school.
Most affected counties are Mandera, Turkana, Wajir, Baringo, Marsabit, and Samburu.
Red Cross has also called for the rehabilitation of water points in strategic places in the affected counties.
Kenya Red Cross secretary general Abbas Gullet said relevant bodies should not wait for people to die for it to act.
This year, reduced rainfall have led to poor harvest.
“Long rains was generally below average this year over most parts of the country, as a result, crops and forage have not grown as expected,” Mr Abbas said.
The Meteorological Department raised a red alert in 2010 anticipating a shift in weather patterns which would lead to a prolonged dry spell in 2011.
In early 2011, seasonal rains were not experienced.
This resulted into severe drought in Mandera, Turkana, Marsabit and Moyale where 20 people died.
