Kenya: Drought Response Situation Report No. 3, 29 June 2017

Highlights

• During May, the Kenya Food Security Steering Group conducted the Long Rains Mid-Season Food and Nutrition Security Assessment for 2017 in 14 of the 23 arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) counties.
• The assessment confirmed the delayed onset of the long rains in both marginal agricultural areas and pastoral zones. Cumulative rainfall was below average with a majority receiving 50 to 75 per cent of normal rainfall.
• Delayed planting may result in a below average harvest. This would require increasing the number of people targeted for assistance from 2.6 million to 3.5 million by August.
• Nearly 344,000 children and more than 37,000 pregnant and lactating women are acutely malnourished and in urgent need of treatment. From March to May, there was a 32 per cent increase in the total number of acutely malnourished children.
• The lack of adequate funding is preventing partners from scaling up multi-sectorial interventions to assist communities severely affected by drought. Since its launch in March, the Flash Appeal has raised US$71.7 million (43 per cent) against a total requirement of US$165.7 million. The health, education and early recovery sectors have received very limited to no funding.
• 594,000 people were reached in May through asset creation for livelihood/relief activities.
• An estimated 175,655 people – including 139,000 children – are at risk of violence, abuse and exploitation, 122,655 of whom at risk of gender-based violence.
• After a food pipeline break during term I (January to April) the Ministry of Education (MoE) and WFP resumed school meals in ASAL counties for over 1.6 million children.
• Heightened insecurity due to conflict in northeastern parts of the country has caused non-local teachers to flee leading to the closure of over 18 schools. This has disrupted learning for over 4,500 children.