More than 2 million Kenyans are on the brink of starvation
Atleast 2 million kenyans are on the brink of starvation and in dire need of food aid following prolonged drought according to a recent drought update by The Kenya Redcross.
The climate change crisis has led the country to declare an official state of disaster. At the beginning of September, the country declared a state of disaster on the worsening drought conditions, with governmental spokesperson, Kanze Dena Mararo, saying in the official statement that the government would “assist affected households including water and relief food distribution as well as livestock uptake.”
The counties worst hit include; Marsabit, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Kilifi, Tana river, Lamu, Samburu, Kitui, Isiolo, laikipia and Kwale.
Most of the malnutrition cases in the affected counties are attributed to reduced milk consumption owing to a decrease in milk production and fewer deliveries of essential nutrition services.
COVID-19 has also had a significant impact on food security both for farmers and
those living in urban areas who have seen an increase in food prices. This is because many people lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic hence little purchasing power.
It has emerged that some residents of Tiaty Sub-County have started eating carcasses of dead livestock, sparking fears of diseases. Livestock farmers have also complained that the closure of all livestock markets has led to a lack of money to buy food.
Climate change is the main driver of the erratic and recurring droughts, and has been partly attributed to the recent locust outbreaks in East Africa, causing widespread food insecurity. Climate change also contributes to poor health outcomes. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are likely to exacerbate the spread of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. Lack of access to clean water will lead to higher incidence of diarrhea, a major cause of death for children under 5.
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