Hunger caused by Kenya drought hits children’s education and health

Children are being badly聽affected by the persistent drought that has hit various parts of Kenya since October.

The under-fives聽in particular聽are experiencing problems caused by malnutrition such as stunted growth, loss of weight and general wasting.

The drought is also exposing children of all ages聽to the risk of diseases and other permanent effects that will render them less productive –聽a problem known only too well by Grace Lokuti, head teacher at聽Mugie Primary School in Laikipia county.

She said聽there is fierce聽competition to get food for children and local families聽– with some people even resorting to robbery.

国产视频淚n the first two week of January, no learning took place because of raids聽–聽parents fearing for their children took them away from the school,国产视频� said Grace.

国产视频淥ur worry is, if the government doesn国产视频檛 come and help, education here will collapse. If the parents take away their children, that will be the end of their studies.国产视频�

As well as Laikipia country,聽Samburu, Turkana, Baringo, West Pokot, Tana River, Siaya and Busia counties are the most food insecure in Kenya, according to the聽Kenya Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Survey (CFSVA)聽released by the World Food Programme.聽

Villagers on the outskirts of Laikipia county say the drought has brought the entire area to a standstill.

国产视频淲e are very hungry聽and the last time we had a decent meal was in October last year,” said villager聽Ewoi Esma.

Drought in Kenya

Kenya declared the drought a national disaster on February 10

The UN聽World Food Programme says it needs $22 million urgently to help聽provide support including school meals for 428,000 children.

The聽Kenya聽Red Cross says about 2.7 million people are in need of food aid after low rainfall in October and November and the next rainy season not due before April.

“The situation got worse聽until our children could not even go to school because they are hungry. And they聽go to do small jobs to get something for themselves.

国产视频淓ven the schools are threatening to close because of the drought.”

According to a recent study by the United Nations children’s agency聽UNICEF, an estimated 337,292 children under five are expected to require treatment for moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and 75,300 under-fives聽will require severe acute malnutrition (SAM) treatment as a result of the drought.

Susan Achotu, a mother in a聽Laikipia village,聽fears聽her six children will starve.

She said聽the only respite her family聽gets during the drought is when her six children are in school.

国产视频淎t least they get to eat lunch when they are in school,” she said.

“They rely on me in the evening when they get home. However, many聽times we sleep hungry if cannot get money through the sale of items I make from home.国产视频�

Experts say this is likely to be the worst drought witnessed in recent years,. More than one million people from聽the Northern, Eastern and Coastal counties are affected and聽President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared a national disaster.