Attachments
Summary:
January 2014 the Government of Kenya declared an impending drought with an estimated 1.6 million people affected.
March – May 2014: Poor performance of the long rains.
Ongoing: Increasing food prices and general inflation.
June - July 2014: According to SMART survey results from the Nutrition Information Working Group (NIWG) the nutritional status in the target counties has deteriorated as compared to June 2013.
29 August 2014: IFRC launches Emergency Appeal.
Due to the poor performance of the long rains between the months of March–May 2014 in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya, the drought situation has continued to affect both pastoral and marginal agriculture livelihood zones (the North Western, Northern, North Eastern, South Eastern and parts of Coast) affecting household food availability as well as livestock productivity. The situation has continued to worsen due to increased food prices which have continually eroded household purchasing power driven by increase in costs of fuel, and general inflation. Through the launch of this appeal, IFRC will support the Kenya Red Cross Society to assist 649,175 persons affected by the drought situation for a period of 9 months.
The Kenya Food Security Steering Group 2013 short rains assessment conducted in February 2014 indicated that poor performance of the 2013 short rains had resulted in more people becoming food insecure. The National Disaster Management Authority, through its routine early warning system bulletins, January - June 2014, issued drought alerts in Mandera, Turkana, Baringo, Samburu, Wajir and Marsabit Counties with the trend either worsening or deteriorating. Earlier during the year in January 2014, the Government of Kenya declared an impending drought with an estimated 1.6 Million Kenyans being highlighted as requiring emergency food assistance. Short term food assistance was provided by the government in the affected counties with an anticipation that the conditions will improve with the long assistance from 800,000 to 1.3 million
Within the period under review, the National Society has continued to conduct an intensive resource mobilization initiative targeting various potential partners to support in the operation and currently encourage various partners to join the initiative and support in the operation. There are also more discussions between the County and National Government as well as with UNICEF as a follow-up on the CERF funding. In addressing the gaps, the National Society has continued to build upon current interventions by the central and county governments and other non-governmental organizations to promote synergy and maximum benefits at minimum possible costs. Coordination mechanisms within and with government (central and county) units, humanitarian agencies and UN Agencies at county and national level will be avenues for mapping various actors and their interventions thereby avoiding duplication over the upcoming weeks.
The appeal is currently only 1% funded. A pledge has been received from the Danish Red Cross and Danish Government. In addition Japanese RC has made a soft pledge of approximately CHF 86,000. IFRC would like to thank all partners for their continued support and to encourage more partners to support the activities under this appeal.