Tana River County Steering Group has projected that the number of people facing starvation in the area will increase from the current 158,647 to about 173,769 in the coming three months if the expected long rains in April and May/2023 fail.
Addressing the County Steering Group meeting National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) Coordinator Mr. Abdi Musa said the County drought position is at alert stage and the situation is heading to the alarm stage.
Mr. Musa said the County is experiencing shortage of water and pasture as well as high influx of livestock from neighbouring Counties of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit contributing to overgrazing.
He added the malnourished status of children under five years old is at 25.3% resulting into alarm conditions hence, urgent need for intervention in terms of medical attention.
On intervention, World Food Program Policy Officer Mr. Philip Looniyo said the Organisation has been carrying out cash transfer program to 1,362 households of the needy people for six months whereby one household get cash money of Sh 6,500 per month from August, 2022.
Mr. Looniyo said following the increase by the needy people, WFP will increase the number of households to benefit from cash transfer from the 1,362 households to 2,321 households at the same time the cash money per month will also increase from the Sh6, 500 to Sh.11, 200 per month per household starting April/2023.
By Simon Guruba
