Relief Groups Sound Alarm as Kenya Faces Drought, Hunger Crisis

An especially harsh drought is exacerbating already difficult conditions in Kenya, faith-based relief agencies warned this week.

According to a recent assessment by Kenyan authorities, the United Nations, and local NGOs, nearly 3.8 million Kenyans currently lack sufficient food.

"Families are desperate for food," reported Ruth Nguyo, agriculture project officer for Catholic Relief Services in Kenya.

"Child malnutrition rates are rising, children are being removed from school and hired out as day laborers, and families are cutting back the size and number of meals – with many now eating just once a day," she added.

And though groups such as Christian relief agency World Vision are providing feeding programs, food security, and other humanitarian interventions to hundreds of thousands throughout Kenya, they say it's not enough by far.

"We are making a difference, but the needs far exceed available resources, and the situation is only going to get worse this month," said Thomas Solomon, World Vision's deputy national director in Kenya. "Many poor households have already resorted to skipping meals, and there has been a decline in attendance at schools in hard-hit areas."

The humanitarian group is seeking funding for desperately-needed emergency interventions, including food aid and longer-term sustainable interventions for millions of Kenyans.

Having operated in Kenya since 1974, World Vision currently serves in all eight provinces of Kenya, focusing on both long-term development and emergency relief.