Attachments
In Numbers
11,773 mt of food commodities distributed
USD 6.7 million cash-based transfers made
USD 89.4 million net funding requirements across all activities for the next six months (July-December 2023)
1.7 million people assisted in May 2023
Food Security Situation
• The food security situation remains a matter of concern. The impact of the recent severe drought persists with varying intensities across different counties, particularly in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). Within the ASALs, four counties are currently in the recovery drought phase and two counties are categorized as being in the alert drought phase. The prevalence of malnutrition in the ASALs continues to present a challenge, primarily due to the time lag between drought recovery and the availability of food. Based on the short rains assessment report in February, approximately 4.4 million people still require food assistance, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address the pressing food security needs.
• The March-May rainfall season had considerable variability in rainfall patterns, with some regions receiving favourable precipitation while others experienced below-normal rainfall.
Albeit a general improvement in pasture and browse conditions in most ASALs, pasture and browse remain inadequate. Looking ahead, forecast predicts predominantly sunny and dry conditions across most parts of the ASALs. The persisting vulnerability to prolonged drought conditions underscores the necessity for sustained efforts to tackle food insecurity and to build climate-resilient food systems.
Operational Updates
Refugee operations
• WFP worked closely with its cooperating partners to address the critical needs of refugees in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps and in Kalobeyei settlement. In May alone, WFP distributed food to 618,379 refugees, thanks to generous contributions from donors. The food assistance comprised in-kind food and cashbased transfers. A total of 34,930 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls (PBWG) and 28,704 children aged 6 to 59 months received vital nutrition support to prevent and treat moderate acute malnutrition. Nutrition treatment support was complemented with social behaviour change communication, promoting healthy practices and empowering families to make informed choices regarding nutrition and well-being e.g., Infant and Young Child Feeding. Education is an invaluable resource contributing towards developing human capital. WFP reached 94,118 refugee schoolchildren with hot meals while in school helping them address classroom hunger.
Emergency food assistance and nutrition support to droughtaffected Kenyans
• WFP has successfully expanded its relief food assistance programme dubbed Lisha Jamii Phase II to encompass a greater number of individuals across ten ASAL counties. This has been made possible by the generous contribution from donors with a significant proportion of support from USAID. The period of support will span a duration of six months from March onwards, WFP targets to reach 943,300 people. As part of WFP’s commitment to addressing malnutrition, another 365,436 children aged 6 to 59 months and 170,596 PBWG will receive monthly nutrition support to treat and prevent MAM. In May, WFP provided in-kind food assistance to 508,703 while another 74,688 received food assistance through cash-based transfers. For nutrition support, 89,137 PBWG and 132,547 children were reached.
Country Capacity Strengthening
• WFP facilitated a joint mission in Wajir in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the County Government of Wajir, UNICEF and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) on 10 May 2023.
Participants were taken through the successful implementation of social protection and child protection initiatives in Wajir County, including the positive impact of the Disability Bill supported by WFP. The role of counties in building sustainable social protection systems targeting the most vulnerable people such as persons with disabilities was a key discussion area, led by the Governor of Wajir County. During the visit, there was consensus on the need to scale up social protection interventions and integrate them with child protection and resilience-building initiatives. Integrated approaches are significant in responding to climate-induced shocks, persistently faced by vulnerable communities, particularly in ASALs. Additionally, through various capacity-strengthening initiatives including training, and technical support, WFP reached 152 government officials in May (63 percent women).
Resilience and food systems
• WFP launched the "Vijana in Kilimobizz" Youth Innovation Challenge, in partnership with the E4Impact Foundation and the Mastercard Foundation. This initiative aims to engage and empower young entrepreneurs in Kenya's food system by calling for innovative solutions to address its challenges and create employment opportunities for young people. The challenge seeks high-impact, youth-led projects that span the entire food chain from production, processing, distribution, and consumption. It focuses on catalysing agricultural and agribusiness innovations within four regional blocks: the Lake Region Economic Bloc, North Rift Economic Bloc, Frontier Counties Development Council, and South-eastern and Aberdares Region Economic Bloc. Successful teams will benefit from financial support to further refine their innovative solutions and gain access to expert knowledge, coaching, and mentorship provided by WFP, the Mastercard Foundation, and the E4Impact Foundation.
• To support smallholder farmers in safeguarding investments towards resilience building, WFP provided critical support to vulnerable communities in the ASALs through food and cash assistance serving 278,082 people. The seasonal safety nets were provided alongside resilience-building interventions.