Donkeys and livestock quench thirst at a water pan in Takaba, Mandera South
The Mandera government has launched an emergency drought response relief food distribution for the urban poor, targeting 15,000 vulnerable households.
Governor Mohamed Khalif said the exercise is specifically targeting the urban poor households across the 12 subcounties.
The intervention is part of the county’s broader commitment to protect lives, restore dignity and support households in times of distress.
Mandera, like other arid and semi-arid areas, continues to experience
the impact of recurring droughts.
The failure of the rains has led to acute water shortages, poor pasture regeneration and declining livestock productivity, especially in pastoral areas. As a result, the livelihoods of many families, particularly pastoralists, women and children, remain severely affected.
According to the October assessments by the National Drought Management Authority, Mandera county is classified under IPC Phase 3, which indicates a “crisis” level of food insecurity.
The report further states that with below-average rainfall forecast for the October-December short rains season, the food security situation is expected to deteriorate further.
This will likely lead to an increase in the number of vulnerable households and other at-risk groups such as children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Between
July and September, an estimated 287,700 individuals in Mandera county
were classified under IPC Phase 3, requiring urgent humanitarian assistance.
Governor Khalif said the findings call for urgent and sustained interventions to cushion our communities from further suffering.
“These figures highlight the gravity of the drought situation and the urgent need for a coordinated and compassionate response to safeguard the most vulnerable among us," he said.
“It is for this reason that the county government of Mandera has taken deliberate measures to mitigate the impact of the drought. The food distribution exercise we are launching today is a direct and immediate intervention designed to reach the most affected households across all subcounties.”
The initiative, he said, will be coordinated by the department of social services, special programmes and disaster risk management, working closely with subcounty administrators, ward administrators and community representatives.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif flags off the emergency
drought response relief food distribution for the urban poor, targeting 15,000
vulnerable households.
