ReliefWeb

Summary

This update provides an overview on Kenya Red Cross Society actions for the las 1 month. Appeal coverage at the time of writing is 0%, donors are encouraged to support the appeal to enable KRCS provide assistance to the targeted beneficiaries through the planned activities as detailed in the Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA). A DREF loan of 279,632 Swiss francs was processed at the beginning of the APPEAL to support the start-up of activities by KRCS.

A. Situation analysis

Description of the disaster

Due to poor performance of the long rains in March - May 2016, pastoral and marginal farming communities in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of the country are experiencing moderate to severe drought. The situation has been compounded by the subsequent poor performance of the October - December 2016, seasonal rains. Currently, a total of 1.3 million people are acutely food insecure and in need of immediate assistance (ACAPS, Nov 2016) in the ASAL counties, which have been affected by poor rains, as well as other existing and emerging vulnerabilities. This is an increase of 500,000 more people in need compared to estimates from the February 2016, short rains assessment.

The UNICEF Kenya Nutrition Situation overview report of October 2016, indicates that the rates of malnutrition are critical, above 20 per cent in 4 counties (Turkana, East Pokot in Baringo, Mandera and Marsabit), and extremely critical at 30.3 per cent in Turkana North and 15 per cent in West Pokot. An additional 4 counties (Samburu, Tana River, Garissa and Wajir) have serious acute malnutrition levels (10-14 per cent). Estimated malnutrition caseloads in ASALs is 294,300 children under 5 years (60,600 under Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and 233,700 under Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). Vulnerable pregnant and lactating mothers comprise 29,400 people. A report by the Nutrition Sector Working Group indicates that the pipeline for the treatment of moderate acute malnutrition will be exhausted soon further increasing the risk for vulnerable groups affected by the ongoing drought.
The food security situation is likely to deteriorate further in these areas as predicted by various climate prediction institutions, IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), FEWSNET, Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). During the October - December 2016, rainy season, most parts of the country experienced depressed rainfall that was also poorly distributed both in time and space.

These areas included North Eastern counties (Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo); Coast region counties (Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River, Taita Taveta); Central Kenya counties (Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Murang’a, Nyandarua), Nairobi County, Central and North Rift, North Western, Eastern Kenya counties (Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Meru, Embu,
Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo, Marsabit).

Moreover, the current situation is confirmed in the FEWSNET November 2016, and National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) bulletins which indicate that most parts of the country have experienced cumulatively poor rains during the October to December 2016 short rains. The rains had a delayed start and performance leading to extension of the dry lean season that usually lasts from August to October whilst in the South Eastern, coast and Northern parts of the country this has negatively impacted crop and rangeland conditions in the mentioned areas. In Kilifi, Tana River,
Marsabit, Kwale, Lamu, Samburu, Mandera and Garissa counties, the drought situation is at Alarm phase with pockets of areas in Kilifi and Lamu counties already experiencing emergency food insecurity.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) allocated CHF 279,632 from the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 23 November 2016, as a loan to support the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) respond to the needs of the affected population. The DREF loan will initially support to affected persons in Garissa and Tana River counties, which are experiencing worsening food insecurity trends, with cash transfer and livestock destocking. Initial activities including inception meetings with key stakeholders in the target counties, recruitment and sensitization of volunteers, community mobilization, targeting and registration activities.
The overall Emergency Appeal is intended to support affected populations in Garissa, Tana River, Makueni, Kilifi and Kwale counties, with health and nutrition services; water, sanitation and hygiene promotion activities; and food security and livelihoods activities over a period of three months. Currently, the Appeal coverage is 7%.