168,000 starving as Garissa drought hits crisis level

The drought in Garissa is currently at crisis level and the situation may deteriorate to emergency if it doesn’t rain in April and May.

About 20 per cent of the population has been affected, which translates to 168,000 people.

This emerged during a county drought steering emergency committee meeting chaired by Garissa county commissioner Boaz Cherutich on Monday.

The meeting brought together all agencies doing relief and drought related activities in the county.

Cherutich however said the government is in control of the situation.

The commissioner also received reports from all agencies, which are doing drought intervention related activities.

He said the reports will help in planning and targeting the most affected people who require urgent intervention and support.

Cherutich said all nine subcounties have received their share of relief food. 

“We acknowledge that there are still gaps. However the estimated 30 per cent of what has not been done is where we want to focus on," he said.

The commissioner said they want to mobilise development agencies who are giving support to plan and ensure that come next month, there will be more interventions.

He said they are also working round the clock to address double registrations in the cash transfer programmes.

“A team is already in place to synchronise all departments doing cash transfers to avoid duplication,” he said.

The commissioner also dismissed claims that the government is not doing enough to assist drought victims.

He said the emergency cash transfer programme which was rolled out last November was a success.

“In our own assessment, we have established that there is sufficient support going to the households and we will continue with the programmes,” Cherutich said.

He said they have requested all agencies to submit data to the secretariat so that they can know the value of the support.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)