Drought Worsens in North-Eastern Kenya, Leaving Millions in Need of Humanitarian Aid
A severe drought has hit north-eastern Kenya, forcing villagers to burn their dead livestock in distant fields to avoid the stench of death and scavenging hyenas. Mandera County, which borders Ethiopia and Somalia, has not seen rain since May, prompting the National Drought Management Authority to put the area on high alert. The situation is one step short of an official emergency, with nine counties in total affected by the drought.
The drought has had a devastating impact on the local community, with many residents losing their livestock and struggling to access basic necessities like food and water. In Tawakal village, resident Bishar Maalim Mohammed has lost all his cows and goats, which he was forced to burn to prevent the spread of disease. “Our children are the next ones who are going to die,” he said, highlighting the desperate situation.
The drought has also led to a severe shortage of water, with the man-made watering hole in Banissa town drying up completely. Herds of goats, cattle, and camels must now travel up to 30 kilometers to the nearest watering hole, where officials are rationing the remaining water. “In two weeks, this water will be finished. We are in a very bad state,” said local resident Aden Hussein.
The drought has affected over two million people across 23 counties in Kenya, with the October-December short rains failing to materialize. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network estimates that 20 to 25 million people in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia need humanitarian food assistance, with more than half of these cases attributed to drought.
The situation is particularly dire for children, with many suffering from severe malnutrition due to a lack of access to basic nutrients. At Banissa’s main hospital, the pediatric ward is overwhelmed with cases of malnourished children, many of whom have arrived from neighboring Ethiopia. The hospital’s nutritionist, Khalid Ahmed Wethow, noted that children are not receiving an adequate diet due to the drought, relying on camel and goat milk that is no longer available.
The Kenyan government and aid groups have increased their efforts to provide water, food, and cash support to affected communities, but they are struggling to keep up with demand. The hospital, which serves around 200,000 people, has only eight tins of therapeutic milk remaining and has not received any supplies in six months due to reduced aid budgets. As the situation continues to worsen, it is clear that urgent action is needed to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in north-eastern Kenya.
