Over Sh 6.3 million was donated to 929 households in Makueni County to help them cope with the effects of El Nino rains in October, November, and December.
The first donor Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) gave Sh3 million to 600 households in four sub counties, whereby each household received Sh5, 000 to cushion them from the effects of El Nino.
Consequently, 300 households received non-food items from Welt Hunger Hilfe in the month of January, primarily benefiting the most vulnerable families.
“In January, we gave 600 households Sh5,000 each to cushion them from the effects of heavy rains that pounded Makueni, Kilome, Kibwezi East, and Kibwezi West sub-counties.
Another 300 households received non-food items like blankets, soap mosquito nets, sanitary towels and water guard under humanitarian response,” said WHH field Officer Racheal Wambua, during the County Steering Group (CSG) meeting held at a hotel in Wote town.
Wambua reported that beneficiaries received their money via cash transfer last month due to increased rainfall causing property destruction in the area.
The meeting was chaired by Japheth Mangoka, the County Executive Committee Member for Devolution.
At the same time, The Danish Red Cross donated Sh3,327,506 to 329 households in response to heavy rains, helping those displaced and living in five camps in the county.
Among those who benefitted included Kawese (66), Makindu (167), Mbooni (65), Mutyambua (12) and Nguu/Masumba (19) camps, whereby each household received Sh10, 114 through Kenya Red Cross Post-El Nino response.
“The donation was given through cash transfer to facilitate the recovery process for the affected communities. Beginning mid-January, the Kenya Red Cross County (KRC) County team initiated a registration exercise and targeting to identify the beneficiaries,” said the Makueni Kenya Red Cross County Coordinator Evans Peter.
Peter disclosed that the recipients got their money, adding that they are planning for post-distribution monitoring soon.
During the meeting, members were also informed that the County Government of Makueni in collaboration with the Safaricom Foundation and Kenya Red Cross distributed essential items to 660 households, who were displaced from their homes in the last El Nino.
The beneficiary households were those who were in 5 camps and each family received 20kgs maize flour, 1 kg of salt, 4kgs of green grams, 1 litre of cooking oil, and 4kgs of super cereal uji flour.
“The generous donation was made possible by Safaricom Foundation, facilitated through a request raised by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr’s office,” said Makueni County Red Cross Coordinator Mr. Peter.
He disclosed that the food items were distributed on Tuesday to the beneficiaries who were also affected by the heavy rains that pounded in the months of October, November, and December 2023.
The meeting that was attended by participants from the national government, county administration, and other partners was convened as part of the 2023 short rains Food and Nutrition Security Assessment (SRA) to debrief the County Steering Group.
The finalized report approved by the committee will be escalated to the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG) team to enable them to make informed decisions that will help in planning appropriate interventions in the county.
By Patrick Nyakundi
