Kenya Red Cross and the Embassy of France in Kenya and Somalia have signed an agreement for the implementation of the Nutrition and Resilience Project.
The Project aims at contributing to enhanced food security and resilience among households in three drought-affected counties of Marsabit (Moyale Sub-County), Garissa (Lagdera Sub-County) and Wajir (Eldas Sub-County).
The one-year programme will target 14,859 direct beneficiaries and approximately 36,000 indirect beneficiaries amongst the most vulnerable population.
Speaking during the signing of the NAR project, Red Cross Society secretary general Ahmed Idriss said the project will have long-term benefits for the communities.
"We appreciate the flexibility and approach of the Embassy of France to enhance community resilience. This project has an emergency approach but has long-term resilience outcomes expected for the communities targeted," he said.
Over the last 10 years, Kenya has gone through unprecedented climate-induced shocks (droughts followed by floods) with tremendous economic and social consequences.
According to the May 2023 National Drought Management Authority drought phase classification, 17 counties namely West Pokot, Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Laikipia, Narok, Kajiado, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Makueni, Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu and Kilifi are in normal drought phase.
Kitui and Taita Taveta are in the alert phase while four - Marsabit, Isiolo, Nyeri and Kwale- are in the recovery drought phase with important impacts on livelihoods and nutrition.
French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet said working with the Kenyan Red Cross Society is key to tackling the issue of the drought and its long-lasting impact on people’s life.
"This project is a good instance of how we can move from an emergency to a resilience approach," he said.
In the 2023 period, France has already raised €1.5 million (Sh227 million) for food assistance projects.
This effort is complementary to the exceptional humanitarian contributions already provided in 2022 worth €2.7 million (Sh408 million).
The Nutrition and Resilience project will promote optimal Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) practices.
This will be achieved through the promotion of community-led behaviour change practices, prevention and management of acute malnutrition through early detection and referrals for treatment as well as enhancing linkages of households with malnourished children to nutrition-sensitive programmes.
It will also facilitate livelihood support for 450 most vulnerable households to boost their food security and access to a variety of nutritious food and diversified livelihood options.
In total, it intends to directly reach over 6,602 children below five years and 1,447 pregnant and lactating women.