Government sets aside Sh 2 billion to fight the drought
KRN NEWS DESK
Government sets aside Sh 2 billion to fight the drought. The government has set aside 2 billion Kenyan shillings to fight the drought situation in the country. Drought Management Authority has released worrying data showing that the drought situation could worsen as we approach the end of the year.
Counties affected
Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has said that the money set aside will help medicate the effects of drought in 12 counties. The report further indicated that over 2 million people from arid and semi-arid counties are the most affected.
Turkana, Garissa, Wajir, and Marsabit are the most affected counties. The report indicated that these counties have had no significant harvests and most of the water points have dried up.
“We are talking of flood, drought, locust invasion and here we are again dealing with the Covid situation, I can tell you that Kenya is indeed a very resilient country, but never have our resilient been tested to that extend that has been tested this time.” Eugene Wamalwa said.
Additional money
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has committed Sh 400 million and the European Union (EU) Sh 500 million shillings to help the vulnerable families get access to food and water.
“We will have a percentage going to resilience, and a percentage going to drought response to ensure that we build the resilience of these counties,” he added.
Wamalwa added that respective ministries have been mobilized to be part of the multi-agency team that will focus on restoring normalcy in the most affected counties. The European will also be part of the multi-agency team.
“We are looking at issues of water scarcity, health, education…it cuts along the sectors and all the line ministries have been mobilized to be part of this multi-agency team.” He stated.
The move to help these affected communities has come in handy, as it would help school-going children get access to their basic needs.
