The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
(extract)
**Kenya
I also want to flag that the Government of Kenya has declared the current drought affecting more than 23 counties a national disaster.
A preliminary assessment indicates that the number of food insecure across Kenya has doubled from 1.3 million in August 2016 to 2.7 million — with a rainfall deficit of up to 75 per cent in north-western and coastal areas.
The United Nations stands ready to support the Government in its assistance to affected communities.