Dagane calls on NGOs, state to support starving Garissa residents

Garissa deputy governor Abdi Dagane wants the government and donors to support starving residents by providing them with food.

Dagane said the county could not provide sufficient aid to all residents.

“We will not get tired of appealing for more help. We call upon the national government, NGOs and other development partners to support those affected,” he said.

“Drought is affecting our people and the situation is getting worse. Families are hungry and they are at risk of starving to death. We don’t want the situation to get to that level.”

Dagane spoke Tuesday when he flagged off four trucks of relief food for some 5,000 households affected by drought.

The assorted foodstuff comprising of milk, maize meal, wheat flour, rice, beans, sugar and cooking oil will be distributed to Baraki, Maalimin, Sankuri and Fafi.

The consignment is the first batch that the county will purchase and distribute to the 14 wards which are the most affected by drought.

The deputy governor was accompanied by deputy county commissioner Thomas Bett and Edgar Kaniu of the World Food Programme.

WFP is facilitating the transport and the national government is providing security arrangements.

Governor Nathif Jama last week said his administration has set aside Sh40 million in emergency funds to address drought.

Kenya Red Cross has said 378,000 people are staring at starvation.

Garissa, just like the neighbouring counties in Northeastern did not receive adequate rainfall during the last October – November short rain season.

As a result, most of the earth pans did not collect any water and most of the grazing land did not grow any pasture for the livestock.

Last week, the National Drought and Management Authority flagged off water bowsers which will supply water to far-flung settlements in the county.

In the past, the concentration of people and livestock in certain areas has caused conflicts among the pastoral communities competing for limited resources and water.

NDMA has said the drought in Garissa is at the alarm stage.

On Sunday Garissa residents held special prayers to seek divine intervention even as the drought worsens.

The prayers (salat al-‘istiqa) were held at Garissa Primary School playgrounds.

The ravaging drought has taken a heavy toll on the counties due to depressed rains or lack of rainfall in the past four consecutive rainy seasons.

Edited by Kiilu Damaris