Acute food shortage hit Kenya's Mandera as over 500,000 people face starvation

MANDERA, Kenya - Acute food shortage has hit the northeastern county of Mandera in Kenya, following long dry spells triggered by climate change along the Indian Ocean stretch and the Horn of Africa, area leaders have lamented while calling for humanitarian assistance.

The drought ravaged northeastern Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia after rains failed, leading to the displacement of people who are now seeking refuge in Internally Displaced Persons [IDP] camps in Kenya. According to Mandera's leadership, over 500,000 people are now facing starvation.

Governor Mohamed Kalif said a February 2023 short rains assessment report reveals that the population in need of food has significantly increased. He spoke during the distribution of food to at least 60,000 households in the county.

"The prolonged failure of rains for five consecutive seasons has resulted in inflated prices of foodstuff, rendering the community unable to afford basic necessities with half a million people on the verge of starvation," Said Kalif

According to the governor, the intervention also includes support for special needs groups, special schools, and registered orphanage centers, as was done in Phase 1 of the distribution in early November 2022.

"In order to ensure that relief food distribution is effective and reaches those who need it most, we have conducted an assessment of the needs and vulnerabilities of different populations, and decided to use targeted mechanisms that prioritize the most vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant and lactating women, elderly people, and people with disabilities,” he said.

The county boss noted that the special program has mobilized 750 tons of foodstuff and 180,000 liters of cooking oil, which is equivalent to 10,000 cartons. The region borders Somalia to the East and Ethiopia to the South.

"Every household will receive 12.5 kg of rice and 3 liters of cooking oil. The distribution has commenced and is expected to continue for one week to all targeted settlements,” he added.

"I call upon state and non-state actors to continue supporting us and scaling up interventions to alleviate human suffering and prevent loss of lives," he said.

Abdullahi Ibrahim, the area MCA said over 15,000 people from the Wangara ward have crossed over to Somalia and Ethiopia in search for water for their livestock. He asked the government to consider sinking boreholes in the region for the sake of salvaging the situation.

"Out of 15,000 households, some of the parents who moved to Somalia and Ethiopia have shifted from Waranqara with their children rendering them out of class,” he said.

GAROWE ONLINE