The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) has partnered with the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and other private sector donors in distributing relief food to over half a million residents experiencing food shortage in Garissa County.
KCB joins other development partners such as Safaricom Foundation and the Kenya Redcross who have been helping in food distribution for the most vulnerable households in the county.
Speaking at the Iftin Eid ground during the release of the relief food to residents, NDMA regional director Abdinoor Dubow expressed the need for a partnership between the county government and NGO’s so as to cushion the residents from the severe drought experienced in the area.
“We as NDMA have partnered with KCB foundation in helping the residents of Garissa during this harsh drought time because we see it as a corporate social responsibility. Our aim is to ensure that food reaches the neediest residents in every ward,” Dubow said.
We thank all donors and other NGO’s in offering a helping hand and I am asking them to prioritize Iftin location since most of the people are poor following the mass death of their livestock during this prolonged drought,” he further added.
Area MP Major (Rtd) Mohamed Dekow acknowledged the NGO’s for working in conjunction with the government to provide the food to the residents as the hunger continues to bite.
“I am asking the national government to declare the drought situation in Garissa County a national disaster and can be classified as a crisis with a population of over a million in need of humanitarian aid so as to attract help in funds and donations,” Dekow said.
The county has experienced a late onset of the short rains which was uneven and spatial distribution that has resulted in a harsh drought condition in the county thus a decline in crop production and other hazards.
By Abdulhamid Suleiman
