The government is on high alert over drought situation in Meru after it was reported that about 200,000 people are facing starvation in the county.
The National Drought Management Authority County coordinator Duro Gordana said they are on red alert to help save lives in several parts of the county, with Tigania East, Tigania West, Igembe North and Buuri being the most hit.
The official said the areas had not received adequate rains for the last three consecutive seasons.
Gordana was speaking during the launch of Sh10 million Ripples International drought intervention project aimed at feeding school children at Murera Primary School.
The head teacher Nathan Kithinji said the situation has rendered the school helpless, making many pupils to abscond classes.
"I was transferred from Tharaka and I thought Tharaka was the most affected but we are at the worst situation. Most pupils no longer come to school. We have a challenge as many of them do not have parents or are catered for by single mothers or grandparents," Kithinji said.
Ripples International director Mercy Chidi said many children have dropped out of school due to hunger.
"We target schools because many pupils are not going to school but getting involved into other activities searching for a meal. A child getting a meal a day will encourage school attendance," she said.
"We will also be doing water and sanitation training on proper nutrition, climate change and how the community should be prepared."
Ripples International senior project manager Prince Mwendwa said there are seven schools identified for two-term feeding programme, adding that the institution has also identified 100 households for cash transfer issuance to mitigate hunger to vulnerable families.
Chidi appealed to well-wishers, churches, organisations and individuals to compliment mitigation measures with the little they have.
"This is not time to say mine but time to say us, ours and enough. We encourage other partners outside there to chip in because we are not anticipating any crop harvests until next year if we go by the normal weather patterns," the director said.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
