NAIROBI (Nov. 7) XINHUA - More than 21,000 tons of relief food to Kenya donated by the United States have arrived at Mombassa Port in southeastern Kenya.
The yellow maize will be distributed to an estimated 3.9 million hunger-stricken Kenyans in North Eastern, Eastern, Rift Valley and Coast provinces, the Daily Nation newspaper reported on Tuesday.
"It has come at a critical time so we can respond to the increasing needs of Kenyans in the worst drought-affected areas of the country," said Holdbrook Arthur, World Food Program (WFP) Regional Manager for Horn of Africa and Country Director for Kenya.
Kenya has experienced a prolonged drought since early last year and over 3.3 million Kenyans are facing a threat of famine. Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi has on several occasions appealed to the international community to assist Kenyans in combating the drought.
So far, the Kenyan government has received food donations from Britain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt.
The WFP has received contributions valued at 70 million dollars against its appeal for almost 88.5 million dollars, representing 79 percent of food and transport requirement for the July-December period.
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Received by NewsEdge Insight: 11/07/2000 03:56:23