Horn of Africa Drought Response

Drought Response in Kenya and Somalia

From fall 2005 to spring 2006, the United Nations estimated that more than five million persons living in Kenya and Somalia were suffering from acute food shortages due to prolonged drought.

Pastoral and agro-pastoral communities were particularly vulnerable.  These communities depend on livestock and farming as their major sources of income and food.  Due to the prolonged drought, crops had failed and livestock had either died or been severely weakened.

The resulting weakness of the livestock caused the price of animals to drop by about 75% to 90%, thereby further undermining the purchasing power and the coping ability of the people.  Children are frequently the most vulnerable in the affected communities, and the losses of livestock threatened the ability of families to survive. Failed crops and livestock deaths contributed to increased malnutrition among children, which was as high as 25 percent in the worst affected areas.

Mercy-USA’s Response

Improving Access to Safe Drinking Water

From June 2006 to February 2007, Mercy-USA for Aid and Development (M-USA) repaired and rehabbed 25 wells and boreholes in Somalia.  Twenty wells were repaired in Jilib District, and five wells/boreholes were rehabbed in the Hiraan region.

Combined, these 25 vital water sources are now providing safe drinking water to over 160,000 persons, as well as to approximately 1.1 million livestock.  Many of the beneficiaries are pastoralists or agro-pastoralists, and thus depend on raising and herding livestock to make their living and indeed for their very survival.   M-USA plans to expand this life-saving project to other regions of Somalia.

Food Distribution in Kenya

In March and April 2006, Mercy-USA distributed maize (corn) meal and cooking fat to approximately 6,050 persons affected by severe drought in the Kajiado District of southwestern Kenya.

The table below identifies the towns and villages reached and the number of clients served.

Name of Town/Village                                   Number of Beneficiaries (Persons)

Lenkishon                                                            600
Emurwa Dikir                                                       600
Il Marba                                                            1,200
Il Misigyo                                                             500
Partimaro                                                             600
Lesoit                                                                   600
Oreni                                                                    300
Enkaroni – Purko                                                  600
Lele                                                                   1,050
Total:                                                                6,050

Each person received about nine pounds of maize meal and one pound of cooking fat. Mothers with children and the elderly received extra portions.  M-USA’s distribution team was accompanied by Mrs. Helen Nkaisserry, the wife of the area member of parliament, and two local councilors.

In February 2006, M-USA sent an assessment team to Kajiado District.  You may click here to read a brief summary of their findings.

Food and Water Distribution in Somalia

In April 2006, M-USA distributed approximately 37,000 gallons of fresh drinking water to over 1,700 drought-affected persons and over 5,000 livestock in six villages in the Hiraan Region of central Somalia.  The table below identifies the towns and villages reached and the approximate number of clients served.

During this same period, M-USA distributed maize and sorghum (a staple grain consumed widely in Africa) to about 5,000 drought-affected villagers in nine villages in the Jilib District of southern Somalia.   Each person received about 24 pounds of maize and 10 lb. of sorghum.  The villages served included Buulo Balley, Buulo Mareer, Buulo Nasiib, Buulo Taag, Haaji Abdalla, Ismool Haramka, Liimoole, Madhooko and Sheekh Ahmed Yare.

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Dedicated to alleviating human suffering and supporting individuals and their communities in their efforts to become more self-sufficient, Mercy-USA for Aid and Development has had offices and programs in Kenya and Somalia since 1993.  M-USA is also a registered PVO (Private Voluntary Organization) with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and is a member of the American Council for Voluntary International Action (InterAction).