12th September, 2011
AMREF installs vital new infrastructure and provides emergency aid to drought ridden Kenya
So far this year the drought in the Horn of Africa has affected the lives of over 4 million people in Kenya. Millions face life threatening levels of starvation and severe malnutrition as the region experiences the worst drought in 60 years, according to the UN.
AMREF has been working in the country for five decades and in response to the current crisis we have implemented both long and short term measures to offer support and relief to those suffering.
This month, AMREF has put together a Drought Response Coordination Team which will oversee our activities on the ground aimed at providing instant aid, as well as sourcing funding for sustainable solutions that will be essential in helping the region respond more effectively to drought in the future.
In eight regions across Kenya, AMREF is currently installing 20 water tanks which can each hold up to 10,000 litres of water. In the communities of Magadi where almost three quarters of the region lacks water completely, the three water tanks constructed will provide water for 5,472 people.
Before AMREF started the distribution of water tanks to the region of Magadi, it took women a whole day to go to water points to fetch water.
AMREF has hired 72 health workers in Northern Kenya to carry out emergency health care and medical treatment on a temporary basis. They will immunize children from diseases such as measles which can spread rapidly through communities where people live in close proximity to each other.
Treatment for worms and other stomach related illnesses is provided by AMREF medical staff, providing relief for those already suffering from malnutrition and thirst. In Turkana over 1,800 children under five and almost 2,900 older children and adults have been treated for minor ailments at a medical camp set up by AMREF.
AMREF has been working across the country to provide emergency food supplies to those in need. So far we have distributed approximately 138,000kgs of UNIMIX food supplement to communities left without food after their crops and livestock perished in the drought.
Find out more about AMREF's response to the drought.
If you would like to help AMREF support drought-stricken communities you can donate online to our Horn of Africa Emergency Appeal