Attachments
KEY MESSAGES
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Increase in need: 3.5 million people are now affected by drought, an increase from 2.7 million in May. The new statistics are a result of an assessment by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group covering 14 of the 23 arid and semi-arid lands counties. A total of Kshs. 11.1 billion (US $10.6 million) will be required for response measures between July and December 2017.
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Low rainfall: The Mid-Season assessment confirmed the delayed onset of the long rains in both marginal agricultural areas and pastoral zones. The March to May 2017 long rains were characterized by uneven geographical distribution and prolonged dry spells. This resulted in poor crop performance and crop failure in some regions.
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Fall Army Worm invasion: Cases of Fall Armyworm were reported in 23 counties with over 800,000 hectares threatened.
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Fewer meals per day: A greater numbers of poor families are unable to meet their minimum dietary needs across Kenya. The mid-season assessment indicates that households are eating less often and that their diets are less nutritious and diverse. Families are adopting nutrition coping strategies such as relying on cheaper food and reducing the number, portion and size of meals. As food consumption decreases, malnutrition is on the rise.
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Education blocked: 4,500 children were unable to access their education after 18 schools closed in the northeastern part of the country due to heightened insecurity.
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Election looms: Public attention to the drought is being overshadowed by the country’s general elections scheduled for August 2017. World Vision has developed a contingency plan to respond to any humanitarian issues that may arise during the election.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION OVERVIEW
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Poor Crop performance: The onset of the March to May long rains was delayed and characterized by uneven geographical distribution and prolonged dry spells. Although some southeastern and coastal areas recorded above normal rainfall, Kenya was largely sunny and dry throughout March and experienced depressed rainfall during April and May. This resulted in poor crop performance and even crop failure in some regions.
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Disease Outbreaks: Disease outbreaks continue in parts of the country. There is an active Cholera outbreak in five counties (Garissa, Nairobi, Muranga, Turkana and Nakuru) with 581 confirmed cases and seven deaths (CFR 1.2 per cent). A dengue fever outbreak also continues in Mombasa and Wajir Counties, with 1,015 cases, and one death (CFR 0.1) reported to date. In addition, 17 cases of Measles were reported in Garissa County’s Dadaab refugee camp with no death reported so far.
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Increasing Sudanese Refugees: Kenya continues to receive an increased number of refugees from South Sudan, with 10,772 new arrivals from South Sudan since January 2017. The majority of new arrivals (69.7%) are from Central Equatoria. The situation in Kakuma and Kalobeyei Refugee camps is further aggravated by the ongoing cholera outbreak.
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Restricted Access: Humanitarian access in East Pokot sub-county (of Baringo County) remains severely constrained due to ongoing intercommunal conflict and security operations by government forces. While the humanitarian situation in the sub-county is of great concern (especially the malnutrition situation); access to the affected population is extremely limited. About fifteen health facilities in the area remain closed, and the remaining nineteen facilities are operating suboptimally