Isiolo Deputy Governor Dr. James Lowasa has appealed to Non-governmental organizations(NGOs) and other development partners to give food aid to vulnerable families and livestock in the County.
Lowassa said that there is also great need for national and county governments to partner with the development actors to ensure that the drought affected residents are helped out of the pangs of the current severe drought.
He stated that the county is among the 21 regions that are hard hit by the drought and appealed to NGOs operating in the area to focus on humanitarian assistance and livestock feeds.
He said that most parents from the area could not afford to pay school fees for their children and depended on the National Government – Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the county bursary in order to have learners to continue with education.
The Deputy Governor made the remarks during the flagging off of high nutrition animal feeds and clean-drinking water to remote parts of the County. The animal feeds and water were donated by a Catholic Relief Service Organization called ‘Caritas’.
The consignment of the donation comprised 1670 bags of high nutrition livestock feeds which will be distributed to 835 households as well as 42,000 litres of clean water for people residing in remote areas of the county to cushion them against the harsh climatic conditions.
Lowassa also lauded Caritas for donating two generators to enhance water provision services in Bisan-biliqo and Merti which he added would be implemented alongside the County Government.
A Catholic Relief Service officer, Ms. Mary Murungi said that the organization’s emergency intervention initiative was funded by the private sector in collaboration with the County government.
She added that her organization would also work in collaboration with the Kenya Rapid Plus organization to improve infrastructure, repair broken borehole machines and provide spare parts in order to reduce drought impact and serious water shortage in the area.
Isiolo Catholic Bishop Anthony Mukobo, asked the NGOs to not only focus on giving food to the animals but also help the human beings since there has been a rise in malnutrition cases among women and children due to lack of adequate food.
By Winnie Wambui and Kelvin Munene
