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UNICEF Kenya Humanitarian Situation Report, 29 September 2017

Countries
Kenya
Sources
UNICEF
Publication date

Highlights

  • From 1 January to 31 August 2017, a total of 54,000 severely malnourished children (68.4% of annual target) and 102,218 moderately malnourished children (52.5% of annual target) have been admitted for treatment.

  • UNICEF has received USD 3.75 Million from USAID/Food for Peace to support the treatment of severely malnourished children in the reporting period.

  • A total of 1,528 drought-affected children (682 girls and 846 boys) benefitted from child protection services in Baringo, Garissa, Marsabit, Turkana, Wajir and West Pokot Counties during the reporting period.

  • During the reporting period, 59,164 people in Marsabit, Turkana and Tana River Counties gained permanent access to safe water.

  • Currently, six Counties have active Cholera outbreaks: Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Garissa, Nakuru and Vihiga. Between 15 and 26 September, 87 new cases and one death were reported, with Nairobi County alone reporting 51 new cases.

  • The Kenya 2017 HAC appeal has a funding gap of 38% and without additional funding, UNICEF will be unable to optimally support the drought emergency response, and mitigate the risks of a worsening situation for children

SITUATION IN NUMBERS

3.4 million
People are food insecure
(2017 Long Rains Assessment, August 2017)

3.5 million
People are in urgent need of safe drinking water
(Ministry of Water and Irrigation, June 2017)

1.6 million
Children are food insecure
(2017 Long Rains Assessment, June 2017)

104,614
Children under 5 in need of SAM treatment
(Nutrition SMART Surveys, July 2017, total caseload)

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

Kenya has experienced Cholera outbreaks across 31 Counties since December 2014 to date. A total number of 17,942 of cases and 269 deaths reported with a Case Fatality Rate of 1.5 per cent.

According to Ministry of Health disease outbreak situation reports, 18 counties have been affected by cholera in 2017.

A total of 2,996 cases with 55 deaths (Case Fatality Rate of 1.8%) were reported by 26 September as illustrate.

Currently, six Counties have active Cholera outbreaks: Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Garissa, Nakuru and Vihiga, with Nairobi representing 59% of the national caseload. Between 15 and 26 September, 87 new cases and one death were reported, with Nairobi County alone reporting 51 new cases.

Clinical officers, pharmaceutical technologists and lab technicians have also joined the ongoing nurses’ strike which has now lasted over 100 days, further affecting the public health sector crisis. Some county governments have given a oneweek ultimatum to the striking nurses to return to work, failure to which will lead to dismissals being undertaken and new recruitments conducted.

FEWSNET food security outlook indicates that the electioneering period has affected food availability in remote rural areas as market operations have slowed down and humanitarian assistance deliveries have been curtailed. High malnutrition outcomes persist, and overall, the majority of poor households in pastoral areas are facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes.

This long rains (March to May) harvest beginning at the end of September is projected to be 20 to 30 percent below average, which will result in a significant supply shortfall. This is likely to keep staple food prices persistently above fiveyear averages across the country, further constraining household food access.

The Kenya Meteorological Department has reported that early onset of the short rains (October to December) season has been recorded in the coast region and the highlands west of the Rift Valley, with heavy to very heavy rains over the Coastal region, parts of rift valley and parts of southeast lowlands. A floods warning has been issued for Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River, Taita-Taveta and Kwale counties.

A rapid assessment in Baringo County by World Vision has indicated that inter-communal conflict due to the drought has led to continued closure of some schools and displacement of 146 families in Makutani and 60 in Tangulbei areas with their children having to attend classes at distantly located schools e.g. at Losapurur and Eldume that are about 20 KMs away from displacement camps. This has caused congestion in host schools that have taken in the 350 affected children.