UK Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, Nick Dyer, says that the deal signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on Friday, July 15, would curb drought.
Drought was declared a national disaster by the Head of State in September 2021 due to its ravaging effects on the country.
In a statement dated Saturday, July 16, Dyer explained that reopening the Kenya- Somalia border would allow free movement of goods and services targeting communities, especially in the North Eastern part of the country.
"Welcome news for both humanitarian access and more effective response. As I saw this week displacement and malnutrition are accelerating in the face of the devastating drought across," Dyer explained.
"This a very big relief for our efforts to save lives and will definitely be crucial for vital humanitarian supplies to reach areas along the two borders. Our people are facing the worst drought since in recent times and if we don't act timely we risk more loss of lives," he added.
The Kenya-Somalia deal follows a series of engagements between the two heads of state. Uhuru and Hassan first met in Mogadishu during the swearing-in ceremony after he won the presidential polls in May.
A joint communication between Kenya and Somali delegations indicated that miraa exports from Kenya and fish imports from Somalia will resume immediately.
They agreed to facilitate, diversify and promote trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and directed the immediate market access of fish and fish products from Somalia to Kenya and vice versa and the resumption of trade in khat (miraa) from Kenya to Somalia, to resume with immediate effect.
Uhuru and Hassan further agreed to resume direct flights Kenya and Somalia.
In June 2022, Uhuru's government disbursed more than Ksh1.1 billion to cushion poor and vulnerable households in Arid and semi-Arid regions of the country.
The Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) funds offered relief to hunger-stricken residents in Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera and Turkana counties.
