West Pokot County has received food donation worth Sh. 12.5 million from Italian development cooperation agency to cushion residents from hunger in the wake of Covid 19 pandemic and floods
The donation was delivered yesterday by devolution and arid areas principal secretary, Micah Powon and comprised of 2,000 bags of maize, 380 bags of beans and 270 of sugar.
Powon said the food will be distributed to all 20 wards in the County adding the county government was mandated to ensure the donation reached all deserving cases in the region.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has become a big threat globally. Many people have lost their lives and millions livelihoods,” said Powon.
He noted that heavy rain being experienced in the country had contributed to floods in most parts of the country, resulting to displacement of people, destruction of properties and loss of lives.
“The devolution ministry has been donating many things after the disasters. We have dealt with many disasters in the County. Currently the ministry is dealing with Covid-19 pandemic and floods,” he said.
The area County commissioner Apollo Okello reported that coronavirus pandemic and landslides have affected many people’s livelihoods in the area.
“Late November, last year, we lost many people at Nyarkulian, Tamkal and Parua and this year, the sad scenario was replicated at Chesegon and such like donation will help the affected. I call on other well- to -do organizations and individuals to also support us,” he said.
Area Governor John Lonyangapuo cited that 75 per cent of residents in the region are livestock keepers and their livelihood depend on it.
“We are having a big challenge. The little food that was there got finished. Many people including school children are at home. You can’t sell goats or cows because of closed markets due to the outbreak of the pandemic,” he said.
He lauded the donor noting that the Italian Government recently donated materials to help curb spread of coronavirus through the Kerio valley Development Authority (KVDA)
“The county is really in need of support. The little food that was there got finished because many people including children are at home,” he said.
The Governor called on various organizations working in the county to offer corporate social responsibility, pointing out that some areas in the county are in dire need of support. “We are targeting hard hit areas like North Pokot and Central Pokot sub counties,” he said.
By John Saina
County receives donation from Italian development cooperation
