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World Vision Kenya: Hunger Response Situation Report No. 15 (01 - 31 January 2018)

Countries
Kenya
Sources
World Vision
Publication date

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Improving or stabalized areas: In five of the 23 Arid and SemiArid Land (ASAL) counties, the drought trend is improving while the trend is stable in nine other counties. Areas of the country are still struggling in the aftermath of the 2017 challenges where Kenya faced multiple humanitarian challenges which included severe drought, disease outbreaks, refugee influx, flash flooding, industrial strikes by health workers, resource-based conflict and elections-related insecurity.

  • Drought status, January 2018: Six counties (Isiolo, Kajiado, Tana River, Garissa, Kilifi , Wajir) are in alarm drought status and seeing a worsening trend. Five counties are in Alert drought status are Mandera, Kitui, Marsabit, Taita Taveta and Tharaka Nithi. Additionally, 13 of the 23 ASAL Counties (56%) are experiencing normal drought status.

  • Population in need: Currently 3.4 million people are in need of assistance, but this figure is likely to reduce.

  • Performance of the short rains, 2017: Rainfall was poorly distributed in space and time with below normal totals rainfall in some areas. Consequently, recovery has been less complete than hoped, and not sufficient to sustain households through the hot dry months ahead (January to end of March, 2018). Some areas however recorded improvement after the long rains but this may shortlived.

  • Current vegetation condition: Generally better than this time last year but below normal in several counties. Significant drought stress continues in some areas.

  • Acute malnutrition: Counties where malnutrition remains high: Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Kajiado, and Samburu.

  • Fire in Kijiji Village in Langata Nairobi: An estimated 6,000 people and 850 school children were reportedly affected by the fire that broke out on 28 January 2018. World Vision Kenya’s response included provision of tents to support psychosocial couselling in addition to 500 pieces of non-food items. An assesment was conducted to determine the extent of the damage, keenly looking out for the plight of children including determination of the number of unaccompanied children.