- Governor Ali instructed the coordination committee to come up with data in every ward in ensuring all affected get support.
- He urged the county steering group to develop contingency plans to mitigate the effects of drought in the count.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
Marsabit county government has continued to cushion residents against the biting drought that has led to starvation and death of animals.
Governor Ali Mohamud-led administration has been working to increase access to water for both human consumption and livestock through sinking boreholes, water pans, and water trucking and spending massive financial resources towards mitigating the situation.
Governor Ali instructed the coordination committee to come up with data in every ward in ensuring all affected get support.
He urged the county steering group to develop contingency plans to mitigate the effects of drought in the county.
The Governor said almost two-thirds of the county's population is at risk of severe food shortages while 80 per cent of their livestock are already dead.
He said the intense drought and climate change continue to threaten major economic drivers in rural communities and disrupt food systems and water supplies.
"The negative effect of drought are being felt across the county. We remain committed to governmental and non-governmental organization approach to address the impact of drought and work together on long term solution," he said
The county boss appealed to development partners and the national government to help alleviate the crisis by availing more financial and technical assistance in saving lives and livelihoods.
"There is a need for joint efforts to cushion the residents from severe drought. We are facing the worst drought. The county government is working with all partners to mitigate the effects of drought," said the county boss.
He further appealed for support as long-term solutions to improve resilience saying this can only be achieved through developing water harvesting and supporting agricultural practices that can help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns.
Governor Ali noted that irrigation schemes will provide a reliable source of income and livelihoods for small-scale farmers who usually rely on unpredictable rain-fed agriculture.
He says climate change, drought and unfavourable weather patterns pose risks for many farmers but underscored that irrigation schemes will enhance food security in the county if successfully implemented.
Governor Ali said the county government and the local NGOs have been supporting herders through the provision of fuel and boreholes breakage but the current situation needs bigger intervention.
"The county government and its partners were doing all it can to save the lives but it couldn't cope with the problem and needed urgent help from the national government and well-wishers," he said
Hundreds of families from Garqarsa in Sagante Jaldesa ward on Thursday benefitted from the water supply by former Saku mp aspirant Adan Wario.
While asking those financially stable to assist less fortunate people in the society, he said the drought has killed most of the livestock.
He called upon County, national government and well-wishers to chip in and assist residents with water supplies and relief food.
The former administrator said the region failed to receive rain in five consecutive seasons leading to a shortage of water and pasture for livestock.
Community elder Galm Wako thanked the former aspirant for standing with them at their hardest time describing the situation as dire with thousands of people in need of food support.
"Our people are suffering due to lack of water. We have been relying on water trucks to supply water but not enough to serve thousands of thirsty residents," he said.
Buke Arero, a resident of Garqarsa said she had gone hungry for many days.
She joined hundreds of villagers to receive water supply.
" At my age, I have nothing, not even animals, they have all died," she said
The 80-year-old story mirrors that of many villagers.
The situation across the larger ward gives a sorry picture with emaciated children and elderly people staring vacantly at nothing with desperation written on their faces.
The severe droughts experienced in the county follow four consecutive poor rainfall seasons.
A decline in livestock prices and an increase in the price of commodities continue to undermine the purchasing power of households, exacerbating food insecurity.