The situation in East Africa is getting more critical everyday. By now, 12 million people are in urgent need of food and water – more than half a million of them are children. In northern Kenya, one in every three children is already suffering from severe malnutrition. Each day is a struggle for survival.

The almost complete lack of rain throughout the entire last year has led to the region's worst drought in several decades. In northern Kenya, a rural, barren region where most of the population lives from cattle herding, the pastures have dried up, the animals have died, and people have no more money to buy food.

To survive, drought victims need nutritious food and medication, as their weakened bodies are more susceptible to diseases.

In the northern Kenyan districts of Isiolo and Marsabit, Malteser International is providing food and medication to about 73,000 people. In cooperation with the dioceses in both districts, we are distributing staple food items such as rice, beans, maize, cooking oil and salt. 

In addition, children under five years of age, pregnant women, the elderly and people with special needs will receive an additional monthly ration of Unimix, a vitamin- and protein-enriched nutritional supplement. 

We will support the region’s health care units with medicines and medical supplies, so they can treat diseases such as diarrhoea, worm and bacterial infections. 1,000 families will also receive mosquito nets so they can be protected against malaria. 

In Isiolo, community health workers will teach around 480 mothers in the villages how to properly care for malnourished children, showing them how they can avoid malnutrition even with very little food available – and thus avoid all of the diseases associated with the lack of proper nutrition. 

The people of northern Kenya will need help in the long term. “The next short rainy season should come in the end of October – but, even if it rains, it will not be enough", emergency relief coordinator Ute Kirch reports. "It will take many more months, if not years, until the people and the animals have recovered from the drought.”

Malteser International has already helped the people in the Marsabit diocese during previous droughts. We have been active in Kenya for ten years. Now, we are once again offering our support so that the population is not only able to overcome this terrible crisis, but also are strengthened in the long run and better able to cope with future droughts.

Every donation, however small, helps us restore health and dignity for the people of Kenya. Support our work today!

Photo gallery: Drought relief in Kenya