Kenya Red Cross in partnership with King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, distributed food to 7889 households (47,334 people) in Marsabit County.
The County faces severe food insecurity levels coupled with impacts of Covid-19 in the livestock sector which include slow market operations due to limited livestock access to markets, market closures and low livestock numbers traded.
The challenge of food insecurity in the country continues to increase with a projection of over 1.4 million people at risk of losing their lives. Currently, over 400,000 children aged between 6-59 months are acutely malnourished and in need of treatment and nutritional support. (an assessment by Kenya Food Security Steering Group)
This intervention by both King Salman and Kenya Red Cross will reduce the risk of food insecurity to the affected communities and improve livelihood conditions. Target priority for this distribution included pregnant and lactating women, malnourished children, the elderly, chronically ill and persons with pre-existing conditions including people living with disabilities.
Present at the distribution in Merile Ward, Laisamis Sub County, Dr. Asha Mohammed, Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General stated that the food situation has been worsening in the Arid and Semi-Arid counties since the last quarter of 2020 as a result of poor short rains and lanina conditions experienced in January and February this year.
“The forecast of below-average 2021 March to May long rains is expected to negatively impact crop production and regeneration animal pastures in most of the arid and semi-arid counties. This donation by King Salman Relief Center will therefore go a long way in meeting the needs of communities in all four sub-counties of Marsabit County.”
