The subsequent fail of rains in 2016 led to the current unprecedented high malnutrition rates among vulnerable pregnant and lactating women, and children under five years.
In response to the high global acute malnutrition rate of 20% in Samburu County, ACTED is providing short-term unconditional cash transfers to the most drought-affected households to counter the effects of the drought. It is expected that this short–term income boost will enable these vulnerable households purchase food for household consumption, thereby reducing the malnutrition rates.
ACTED 2017
ACTED Community Mobiliser, Christopher,conducting a beneficiary registration exercise at Lodungokwe Health facility, Samburu County
In order to address the rising and worsening malnutrition trend, ACTED, with support fromthe European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), has been able to complement the food basket needs of 475 households of malnourished pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under five years through distribution of cash.
In addition, chronically sick persons suffering from tuberculosis and HIV were enrolled into the programme based on listing at the health facility.
I am expectant and I cater for two other school-going children. My husband is a casual unskilled worker and has failed to secure employment due to the prevailing drought. The farm is now desolate as the maize I planted in November wilted and died.
Ms. Basilan continues: “I want to thank ACTED, and ECHO for supporting the unconditional cash transfer to Samburu County residents”.
112,000 people are still in need of urgent assistance as the drought worsens in Samburu County. The Samburu Steering Group identified food assistance, cash transfers, peace building, asset protection, critical water point rehabilitation and livestock offtake as the most potent and priority interventions to address the ongoing emergency in the county.
This document covers humanitarian aid activities implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the European Union, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.