US Donates Ksh30 Billion to These Families

USAID Administrator Samantha Power and her delegation meeting with CS Margaret Kobia on Friday, July 22, 2022.
USAID Administrator Samantha Power and her delegation meeting with CS Margaret Kobia on Friday, July 22, 2022.
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Needy Kenyan families affected by drought will be supported through a Ksh30 billion donation released by the US development agency - USAID.

Speaking in Nairobi on Friday, July 22, USAID administrator, Samantha Power, urged other countries to step in and help prevent a food crisis that could get worse if not addressed.

About four million people are on the edge of starvation with the affected communities mainly being those from Arid and Semi-Arid counties.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power and her delegation meeting with CS Margaret Kobia on Friday, July 22, 2022.
USAID Administrator Samantha Power and her delegation meeting with CS Margaret Kobia on Friday, July 22, 2022.
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Farmers are losing up to 70 per cent of crops and at least 2.4 million livestock deaths were reported in May this year owing to the prolonged drought.

To show how dire the situation is, USAID noted that over 900,000 children were suffering from severe malnutrition and in critical need of the donation to survive. 

"Many families have yet to fully recover from the devastating effects of the pandemic, and other climatic shocks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine further exacerbated the hunger crisis with a rise in food, fuel and fertilizer prices," a statement from USAID read.

"More funding will be needed to help prevent significant loss of life, and to meet expected humanitarian needs well into 2023. USAID is urging the international community to join in scaling up assistance to save lives."

The Ksh30 billion will provide emergency food to families living in areas where local markets are not functioning sufficiently. 

In areas where markets are functioning, cash for families to purchase food staples will also be provided, which the USAID noted will help in supporting the local economy

"USAID will supply a specialized peanut-based nutritional supplement to treat malnourished children at mobile clinics in remote areas, local health dispensaries, and hospitals," the statement read in part.

"Super Cereal Plus, a corn-soya blend food supplement designed to make porridge, will also be provided to malnourished women and children for use at home."

At the same time, USAID funding will help veterinary services, animal fodder, and supplements to support essential breeding animals alive despite declining circumstances.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power and her delegation meeting with CS Margaret Kobia on Friday, July 22, 2022.
USAID Administrator Samantha Power and her delegation meeting with CS Margaret Kobia on Friday, July 22, 2022.
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