General information

About the mission

Launch Date: January 2002
Expatriates: 12
Local Staff: 200

Key facts

Population: 39 million
HDI: 144 out of 179

Humanitarian context

Although the effects of the 2005 drought and the subsequent 2006 crisis have passed, the situation remains critical for the population in north-east Kenya. Action Against Hunger is still expanding the geographical coverage of its nutritional programmes, and continues in the development of access to water.

The northeast region is one of the most vulnerable in Kenya, mainly due to its lack of productive capacity, aridity, sandy soils and scant vegetation. There has been little rain since the serious droughts of 1991 and 1992. In addition, the region has been affected by another harsh drought since 2001, further increasing its vulnerability. With the loss of their flocks, peasants are finding it impossible to take up their traditional way of life again, depending on trade and livestock. The change in crops has led to farmers to grow sugar cane, coffee and tea, all destined for exportation, reducing the production of staple cereals like corn and wheat.

In Kenya 56.7% of poor families get their drinking water from unsafe sources during the dry season and 59.6% during the rainy season. They have to pay between $0.13 and $0.26 for 20 litres of water. Because of the water’s scarcity and price, there are frequent confrontations between clans that increase at times of drought and grazing.

Kenya's cultural diversity is one of its main riches but at the same time one of its main sources of conflict. HIV/AIDS patients currently occupy half of the country's hospital beds; it is calculated that 15% of the population or 2.5 million people is living with the disease (2001). Refugee camps in the northeast, in Dadaab - Ifo and Dagahaley - have collapsed or were destroyed by the torrential rains of 2003. The camps provide shelter for more than 60,000 refugees, mainly from neighbouring Somalia. The north-eastern region is largely dependent on humanitarian and foreign aid.

Action Against Hunger in Kenya

Nutrition

• Nutrition surveys

• Therapeutic nutrition programme (TFC-OTP-SFC)

• Training and support for the Ministry of Health

• Cooperation in the development and implementation of a National

• Guidelines Manual for Nutrition and Aids

• Health training

Water and Sanitation

• Rehabilitation of water points

• Construction of subterranean reservoirs

• Health training and promotion of hygiene

• Construction of latrines

• Treatment and control of water resources

• Creation of a water committee and training of its members

 

Funding

ECHO, UNICEF, OFDA, DFID, private funds