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{"id":950,"date":"2023-02-16T21:32:05","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T21:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/?p=950"},"modified":"2023-02-16T21:36:00","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T21:36:00","slug":"rising-hunger-and-thirst-president-ruto-calls-for-enhanced-interventions-and-international-aid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/2023\/02\/16\/rising-hunger-and-thirst-president-ruto-calls-for-enhanced-interventions-and-international-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising Hunger and Thirst:\u00a0 President Ruto Calls for Enhanced Interventions and International Aid."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Chemtai Kirui<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kenya is fighting back against an impending humanitarian crisis as it battles the worst drought in decades. With the sixth consecutive failed rainy season causing damage to crops, livestock, and biodiversity, the region is now facing a worsening malnutrition crisis. But the government is taking action to address the underlying causes of the drought crisis by investing in irrigation and ecological restoration. International aid is also being sought to support these efforts. It’s a long-term solution, but one that could ultimately make a real difference in ensuring the country’s survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battling a worsening drought crisis, Kenya is bracing for yet another blow as the Meteorological Department predicts<\/a> below-average rainfall during the crucial March-May long rains season. But the government is not giving up without a fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President William Samoe Ruto has called for immediate action to tackle the current drought crisis, saying that \u201cThe situation requires immediate action from all stakeholders to prevent further devastation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

President William Ruto addressing the cabinet, diplomats and drought response task force, when he received the 2022 Short Rains Assessment Report. Nairobi\/ February, 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Speaking during the launch of the 2022 Short Rains Assessment Report, Ruto identified priority areas for intervention, including enhanced food assistance, cash transfers, health and nutrition interventions, sustained water supply, livestock feeds, school feeding programs, and peace and security initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe call on international partners, the private sector and well-wishers to help us bridge this resource gap that will help in building long-term resilience.\u201d he said, adding that the government has set aside KSh6 billion, in the latest Supplementary Budget to respond to the drought between February and May. However, this amount, which will be supplemented by the private sector-led National Steering Committee on Drought Response, may not be enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To bridge the resource gap of over Sh15.35 billion needed for urgent life-saving interventions, President Ruto calls on international partners, the private sector, well-wishers and Divine Intervention to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a government we have set out elaborate plans for food security, we have seeds, ample fertilizer, and water harvesting strategies including dams. We now need God to send us the rain,\u201d Mr. Ruto said. \u201cI urge all people from all faiths \u2026 to pray for our country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Dignitaries gather at Kenya’s statehouse to hear President Ruto’s address and receive the 2022 Short Rains Assessment Report. Nairobi\/ February, 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dignitaries gather at Kenya’s statehouse to hear President Ruto’s address and receive the 2022 Short Rains Assessment Report. Nairobi\/ February, 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dignitaries gather at Kenya’s statehouse to hear President Ruto’s address and receive the 2022 Short Rains Assessment Report. Nairobi\/ February, 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The declaration<\/a> of President Ruto, dedicating an entire Valentine\u2019s day (2023) to prayer to ease drought conditions in the nation, comes at a time when five UN agencies \u2013 the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) \u2013 are calling for accelerated progress on the Global Action Plan on Child Wasting<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The United Nations humanitarian agency report, states that over 2.1 million people in Kenya are currently in need of urgent food assistance, with malnutrition rates rising, with The World Health Organization, also warning of the increased risk of waterborne diseases due to the scarcity of clean water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that cholera outbreaks have affected six counties in Kenya, resulting in 4,431 cases and 83 deaths. The drought-stricken regions of Tana River, Garissa, and Wajir, which have limited access to water, sanitation, and healthcare services, are the most recent areas to be affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018The continued drought is driving population movements which increase the risk of spread of cholera, and high levels of malnutrition, which increase the risk of severe outcomes of cholera in the region.\u2019 a report <\/a>by WHO stated, adding that Kenya is among the three countries in the Horn of Africa, recording ongoing cholera outbreaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Kenya Red cross in collaboration with the ministry of Health, provide food aid and Cholera vaccine to residents of Wajir. February, 2023\/ Photo Credit: Kenya Red cross<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe global food crisis is also a health crisis, and a vicious cycle: malnutrition leads to disease, and disease leads to malnutrition,\u201d said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO).”Urgent support is needed now in the hardest hit countries to protect children\u2019s lives and health, including ensuring critical access to healthy foods and nutrition services, especially for women and children.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Residents wait for their rations during relief food distribution by President William Ruto at Nakaalei in Turkana. November <\/em>2022.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A father gives his thirsty son water in Lagdera, in Garissa. November, 2022\/ Photo Credit: UNEP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Kenya is facing a dire drought crisis, declared a “rapidly unfolding humanitarian catastrophe” by the U.N. humanitarian agency. The situation is reaching alarming levels, with 21 of the 23 Arid and Semi-Arid counties experiencing worsening conditions. Latest statistics from the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) indicate that several counties have reached the alarm stage, while others are in the alert drought phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$
Rotting Livestock carcass in Wajir. February, 2023\/ Photo Credit: Kenya Red Cross.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The Kenyan government is taking long-term measures to address the underlying causes of the crisis. Rather than relying on a national day of mass prayer for rain, the government is implementing measures such as irrigation and ecological restoration. These actions, as noted by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, will sustainably rehabilitate the environment and reverse the effects of climate change, providing a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will continue engaging as we seek short-term and long-term solutions to ensure food and feed sustainability in the face of climate change.\u201d Rigathi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressing the cabinet, diplomats and drought response task force, when he received the 2022 Short Rains Assessment Report. Nairobi\/ February, 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
To mitigate the risks of future droughts and other climate-related disasters, the government is taking a proactive approach by adopting long-term measures. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on effective implementation and collaboration among stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe call on partners, the private sector and well-wishers to step forward and support us in saving lives and building long-term resilience. Kenya commits to fully account for the donated resources.\u201d President Ruto said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Steering Committee on Drought Response has so far raised at least Sh650 million towards mitigation efforts. This amount has been used to distribute food in some of the worst-hit counties, including Mandera, Kitui, Kilifi, Samburu, and Meru. At least 85,000 people have received food donations from the task force interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha present at Kenya’s statehouse during President Ruto’s address after receiving the 2022 Short Rains Assessment Report. Nairobi\/ February, 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dignitaries gather at Kenya’s statehouse to hear President Ruto’s address and receive the 2022 Short Rains Assessment Report. Nairobi\/ February, 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dignitaries gather at Kenya’s statehouse to hear President Ruto’s address and receive the 2022 Short Rains Assessment Report. Nairobi\/ February, 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
During the report submission, Cabinet Secretaries, Diplomats, the drought response task force, and the private sector were present. With these concerted efforts, Kenya is taking strides towards mitigating the effects of the ongoing drought crisis and building resilience for the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Chemtai Kirui Kenya is fighting back against an impending humanitarian crisis as it battles the worst drought in decades. With the sixth consecutive failed rainy season causing damage to crops, livestock, and biodiversity, the region is now facing a worsening malnutrition crisis. But the government is taking action to address the underlying causes of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":967,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-environment","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=950"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/950\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":971,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/950\/revisions\/971"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kassfm.co.ke\/digital\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}