Why?
The effects of below average 2018 October–November–December (OND) short rains season continue to be experienced in many parts of the country. The short and erratic rainfall compounds pre-existing fragile coping capacity, the food security situation has deteriorated in many counties of the country. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) bulletins for January 2019 indicates that 16 counties (West Pokot, Tharaka Nithi, Samburu, Nyeri (Kieni), Marsabit, Mandera, Lamu, Laikipia, Kitui, Kilifi, Isiolo, Garissa, Embu, Baringo, Turkana and Wajir) are currently experiencing increasing Stressed food insecurity (IPC2) with the situation worsening as a result of ongoing effects of the drought. Wajir County is the worst affected in the country with Turkana, Marsabit, Baringo, Samburu and Garissa also experiencing significant deterioration in the food security. Some communities in these affected counties are already in crisis (IPC 3) with the situation projected to further deteriorate. This operation is primarily informed by the 2018 Short Rains Season Assessment (SRA) report which indicated that 800,000 people were in Crisis IPC 3 and require immediate food assistance. A subsequent assessment done in March 2019 by NDMA indicated that 843,900 people are in IPC 3 and a further 267,600 people are in IPC 2 bringing the total food insecure population to 1,111,500 people. As the drought situation worsens, the health, nutritional and psychosocial status of the affected population is negatively impacted especially for families already in IPC phase 3 (SRA, 2018). There is also a risk of increased disease outbreaks due to scarce availability of clean drinking water. Counties at risk of cholera outbreaks (including Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, Turkana, Mandera, Marsabit and Narok) as well those with active outbreaks (including Kajiado) are likely to experience new outbreaks as water scarcity forces communities to resort to poor quality water. Kenya
What?
The focus of the operation is on Livelihoods and Basic Needs, WASH and Health.
Who?
150,000 people to be assisted.