A consortium of 20 Muslim organizations is distributing relief food to hunger-stricken families in Tana River County.
The county is one of the worst affected counties in Kenya with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) projecting the number of people who require food aid at over 100,000.
The consortium has so far distributed food to 1,150 families in Haroresa, Wayu and Nyangwani.
The consortium has also been distributing 48,000 litres of water daily across the county.
In Kilifi County, 1,400 families in Bamba and Ganze have also benefitted from food from the consortium of 20 Muslim organizations.
Ahmad Sheikh, Secretary-General Young Muslim Association (YMA) said for the last three weeks, they have been conducting an assessment of the drought situation and have partnered with Tana Water and Sanitation Company (TAWASCO) to get water while they provide trucks.
“After the assessment, we came up with two relief projects; water trucking and food distribution. We have partnered with TAWASCO, they supply us with free water. Trucks are ours we catered for fuel and other expenses,” Ahmad Sheikh.
He added they have given preference to the Tana River due to the drought situation. The consortium distributed food in Wayu ward. Water trucking will be continuous until rains come.
“We are not here for one religion, we are here for everyone. Our trucks will be distributing water daily, our other truck will be stationed in Garsen to cover Assa and Kone villages,’’ said Ahmad.
The consortium is planning to build a school in Tana River to empower the youths. Young Muslim Association drilled a borehole in Gururi six years ago.
In his Mashujaa day speech, President Kenyatta directed the National Treasury to allocate Sh1.5 billion in support of the communities affected by the ongoing drought in ASAL counties as part of the National Livestock Offtake Programme.
By Sadik Hassan
