ECHO La Nina Drought Response in the Northern Arid Lands of

Kenya 2011-2012

ECHO La Nina at a Glance...

The 2011-2012 drought was the most severe for the Eastern Horn of Africa since 1950. About 3.75 million Kenyans were affected with a majority being communities in the arid and semi arid areas. Rivers and shallow wells dried up, pasture was depleted leading to communities losing most of their livestock. To make it worse, food prices skyrocketed leaving communities especially in the arid and semi arid areas vulnerable. Malnutrition also increased by 60%.

With funding from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, the ECHO La Niña consortium partners Oxfam, ACTED, VSF Suisse, VSF Germany and VSF Belgium have intervened to offer food security and livelihood protection through among others: Cash for work support to the communities, water supply to increase survival rates of both livestock and people, supported animal health initiatives and destocking to minimise losses, peace initiatives and livelihoods protection.

The project is implemented in Wajir, Turkana, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Garissa and West Pokot, Baringo and Samburu

counties.

Photos: Jane Beesley and ECHO La Niña consortium partners Design & Printing: George Bensons Ltd

Editor: Polycarp Otieno Onyango

“The drought left me with nothing but goat skins, nine of them. However, the cash for work program gave us money to buy food. I go to work in the cash for work projects every day except weekends

and we work for about four hours a day. I used the remaining money to stock this shop. In addition to those I have bought two goats, one I named after the organization giving us the cash.”

Pamela Ataa, Kaeris Turkana

Cash for work

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“The money I received from the cash for work helped my family survive the drought. With the remainder of the money I started this table shop where I now sell basic house items like sugar, soap and cooking

ingredients. Were it not for the money and this table shop I would have had to sell my five goats to survive. Moreover four of the five goats have all calved and our flock has doubled!”

Dahaba Mohamed Ali, Jayjay Wajir East.

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“Before the drought I was a rich man, but I lost 30 donkey and several cows during the drought. The drought was very severe. If no one had intervened many of us would have died by now. I am

experienced with livestock so I’m hoping to buy goats and start all over again.”

Nakalale Nanok, Nanam Turkana West

Animal Health and Destocking

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Peace & livelihood support

“Before I used to herd goats, but our goats were wiped out by drought. The money helped me buy food for my family. I also used part of the money to begin a business of building materials. I sometimes feel that it is better the goats died. This is because even when I had the goats life was difficult, but today

thanks to my new business of selling traditional building materials life is much better. I now make about 3,000ksh a month. “

Hindia Derije Wajir central

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‘I live on the other side of the valley where we now have a water channel constructed from the project (ECHO La Nina). I’m benefitting a lot since I can grow vegetables tomatoes, onions, sugarcane and

pawpaws. Some of these I use at home while others I sell in town. This water has helped my family and me a lot. We now do farming and have access to food throughout the year.”

Margaret Lokorinyang, Wakor West Pokot

Water supply

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“I am happy with this project (of rehabilitation of irrigation channel) because we will soon getwater to our land and we will be able to plant. For me I would like to start a business of growing

and selling some cash crops so that I can feed my family.”

Margaret Nasike, Naoyeregae Turkana South

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