- The relief food aid is meant to ease suffering among the most vulnerable families in areas hard hit by the recent prolonged drought situation that has wiped out almost all their livestock, their only source of livelihood.
- County secretary Hussein Tari Sasura who presided over the relief food launched at Jirime in Marsabit announced that 1,000 households in every 20 wards will benefit.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
The county government of Marsabit kicked off an emergency relief food distribution on Wednesday targeting 20,000 vulnerable households across the county.
The relief food aid is meant to ease suffering among the most vulnerable families in areas hard hit by the recent prolonged drought situation that has wiped out almost all their livestock, their only source of livelihood.
County secretary Hussein Tari Sasura who presided over the relief food launched at Jirime in Marsabit announced that 1,000 households in every 20 wards will benefit.
"Each beneficiary will receive 25kgs of rice, 5kgs of beans and 3 litres of cooking oil," he said.
He said the long drought has affected the county's economy and left more than 70 per cent of the livestock lost in the dry period.
He described Governor Mohamud Ali as passionate and caring for less fortunate people in the county as this is the 3rd phase of the food distribution exercise to cushion the community against food insecurity.
The county secretary has directed sub-county administrators and ward administrators to thoroughly monitor and ensure fairness in the distribution of food.
He said he will personally supervise and oversee distribution in most centres, saying anyone found diverting relief food will be dealt with accordingly.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
The county secretary said the rains currently being witnessed in most parts of the county do not in any way indicate that the drought-hit residents are now out of danger.
"It is evident that our county is currently facing food shortages despite the rains received across the county. The situation is still difficult as the impact of drought is massive," said the county secretary
He assured that Governor Mohamud-led administration is working closely with the national government to better the lives of the residents.
He advised residents to take advantage of the ongoing rains and plant different crops in order to fight food insecurity.
He said the weather forecast prediction was unrealistic which he attributed to climate change.
He said the only solution to fight food shortage in the county is for the farmers to use the little available rain to grow fast-maturing crops so that they can feed their families.
Marsabit central MCA Jacob Elisha hailed the launch of the relief food and assured the governor that the assembly members will work closely with his administration.
"It is time to work together as leaders and shun divisive politics to address the challenges faced by our people," he said
He said the hunger situation in the county has reached alarming levels and the food distribution will cushion the residents.
According to Marsabit County NDMA boss Parkolo Mustafa, more than 309, 176 people in the county facing food insecurity and they need urgent humanitarian support.
He said a food and nutrition assessment conducted by National Drought Management Authority in January found that thousands of children are facing acute malnutrition and in need of urgent help.
Mustafa said 5,000 households are affected by the recent flood making the situation in the county deteriorate but quickly said the ongoing response in terms of relief food distribution and nutrition outreaches have significantly mitigated the effects of drought.
He urged residents to maintain the highest levels of hygiene to curb the spread of the cholera outbreak in the Moyale constituency.
He said the highly contagious disease, which is spread majorly through contaminated food and water can be prevented through a range of precautions among the high standards of hygiene and ensuring food is properly cooked and served hot.
He called for a collaboration between the county and national government to contain the spread of the disease.
According to the Health Department, 36 cases of cholera have been reported in the last month and three people died of cholera in the Moyale constituency.
Tusha Qocha, a beneficiary of the food hamper and a resident of Jirime is grateful for the relief food.
"This food will go a long way in alleviating our suffering even as we look forwarding to a better season," she said
Mohamed Adan Osman commended the government for drought mitigation measures against hunger, noting that relief food support will last for a month.
Another beneficiary Mekelina Leballo thanked the governor for remembering them during hard times.
She explained that the region had been greatly affected by drought and they were now under the mercies of the government and well-wishers to rescue them from dying of hunger.
"I want to thank the governor for providing us with this relief food. We are now happy because this food will boost us for the next few days. I asked the government and well-wishers to continue providing us with food," she said