SCIAF
Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
19 Park Circus
Glasgow
G3 6BE
Tel: 0141 354 5555
Email: sciaf@sciaf.org.uk
© SCIAF 2008
Registered Charity No: SC012302
Company No: SC197327
Registered Office: as above
SCIAF funds drought relief in Kenya
SCIAF has pledged funding to Lodwar in northern Kenya in response to the drought crisis
UN agencies in Kenya recently called for the drought response to be scaled-up with the likelihood that more people will become food insecure in the wake of funding gaps. SCIAF has granted £50,000 in funding to be used in response to the drought in Kenya.
Locheramoe Kuwom is severely malnutritioned. He has trouble being heard, his voice is so weak.
“I am getting weaker every day,” he says. “I have not had a proper meal in seven days. I had nothing yesterday except for tea. The day before I had a bit of palm fruit. There is a lot of hunger here. If this situation goes on, most of the people who live here will die.”
Like many rural people in northern Kenya, Locheramoe does not know how old he is. He could pass for a man of 90 but is in all probability only in this 40s. In his life he has never witnessed a situation as desperate as that facing his village of Kaaruko in Lokori, northern Kenya.
“The last time there was a drought I still had animals,” he said. “Some of the animals died but others survived and so we could live. We were able to bring the animals away and find pastures for them. This time, all our animals are gone so all we can eat is palm fruit, which makes us sick.
"The drought has affected everywhere. We only get proper meals when relief food comes. The rain here is getting less year by year. This will lead to deaths for animals and for humans.”
The situation for many in the region is desperate. It is vital that they receive support as a matter of urgency. The lands around Turkana have been decimated by drought and rivers have completely dried up in some areas.
Due to the absence of crops and livestock people turn to efforts such as attempting to make charcoal from tree bark. This can be sold at local markets. However, it is rare that demand exists and it is difficult to make any money.
SCIAF's emergency relief work in Kenya is helping to provide water, food and medicine to 5,400 families, 6,500 nursery children and 10,000 children under five years old. You can donate to SCIAF's Horn and East of Africa Emergency Appeal online or by calling 0141 354 5555 today.