Kenya is on the frontline of the climate crisis globally. Frequent natural shocks, including droughts and flooding, poses an extremely large risk to the agropastoral communities living in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) region of Kenya. Women in these regions are among the most vulnerable to climate change, as they are limited by their restricted access and ownership over resources.
As devastating floods continue to worsen the humanitarian crisis in northern Kenya, communities’ livelihoods are being decimated, leading to high incidences of poverty and hunger.
In Mandera County in Kenya, Acted has partnered with the Rural Agency for Community Development and Assistance (RACIDA), a community-based organization that works to enhance the prosperity of pastoralist communities by promoting better livelihood systems and sustainable use of natural resources. Funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), this project provides multi-purpose cash assistance to disaster-affected refugee communities in the Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) counties of Northern Kenya. Through four cycles of cash transfers, the intervention will impact over 24,000 individuals.
Climate crisis in northern Kenya
Hamdi* is a determined and hard-working woman who lives in Bur Abor, Mandera East, with her family of seven. Her days are spent tending to a small vegetable garden and selling produce to support her family.
Living along the River Dua, Hamdi has always faced challenges, but the recent floods that destroyed countless small farms and homesteads have repeatedly tested her resilience. Hamdi was left in a precarious position, as her primary source of income was wiped out. She struggled to make ends meet and was forced to take out debts to cover the basic needs of her family.
The cash transfer program from RACIDA and Acted provided a critical lifeline for Hamdi, allowing her to rapidly pay off her debts and reestablish her small produce business, giving her hope and stability amidst her family’s challenges.
*Names of beneficiaries have been changed to protect their identities.
Before the support from RACIDA and Acted, our situation was dire. The floods destroyed everything, and I was overwhelmed with debt and worry for my children's future. Now, with the cash transfer, I feel a sense of relief and hope. I can see a brighter future for my family, and I am grateful for the support that has brought stability back into our lives.
Restoring livelihoods to female heads of household
With her financial burdens eased, Hamdi could focus more on her vegetable shop and restart sales. Her children’s education continued uninterrupted. The program not only improved their economic situation, but also restored Hamdi’s confidence and optimism, fostering a new sense of resilience in her family.
The cash transfer program from RACIDA has lifted a huge burden from my shoulders. It allowed me to pay off debts, support my children's education, and rebuild my vegetable business, giving my family hope and stability.
Cash transfers as a tool for empowerment and resilience
The impact of the assistance extends beyond financial stability; it has fostered a sense of empowerment and resilience in Hamdi. She feels more capable and confident in managing her small vegetable business, which is steadily coming back thanks to the cash transfer from Acted and RACIDA. The security provided by this program has allowed her to plan and work towards long-term goals for her family. This intervention has given Hamdi and her family a new lease on life, filled with hope, dignity, and the belief that they can overcome future challenges.
Being present in Kenya since 2007, Acted’s cash transfer programming is a core tenet of its emergency humanitarian response for climate shocks. In 2023, Acted Kenya provided multi-purpose cash assistance to 131,274 individuals. Beneficiaries like Hamdi demonstrate how cash transfers can allow communities to bounce back from adversity, be better empowered, and access their basic needs in times of crisis.
