Kenya, other partners launch $5 billion food and nutrition resilience program

Charles Businge of IFRC during the launch of the FNRP initiative in Nairobi on March 21, 2025 [PHOTO: IFRC Africa/X]

The government and the Kenya Red Cross Society in collaboration with the African Union, and development partners, have today launched the Kenya Food and Nutrition Resilience Program (FNRP), a USD 5 billion initiative aimed at transforming food security and nutrition in 24 ASAL counties, benefiting 5 million vulnerable people.

"In the recent past, Kenya has grappled with a cyclic climate crisis, experiencing increasing temperatures and recurrent climate-induced hazards that have resulted in significant lives and livelihoods. For instance, in 2023, approximately 6.4 million people needed humanitarian assistance, with 5.4 million suffering from acute food insecurity," read a statement sent to newsrooms.

"While recent rainfall has brought temporary relief, the most affected households continue to struggle due to chronic socio-economic vulnerabilities made worse by prolonged droughts and recent severe flooding caused by El Niño. Coupled with epidemics, the situation has continued to deteriorate."

FNRP is part of a broader Horn of Africa Food and Nutrition Resilience Program initiated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the African Union to combat food insecurity across the countries of Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

“We're thrilled to announce the launch of the Food and Nutrition Resilience Program in Kenya! Led by the IFRC and Kenya Red Cross, this 10-year initiative aims to combat hunger and malnutrition, supporting the government's Zero Hunger goals,” IFRC Africa said on their social media handle.

The FNRP initiative is designed to address food and nutrition insecurity through four pillars namely livelihood support and water which is expected to empower communities through agricultural practices, value chain development and increased access to clean water.

The other pillars are environmental sustainability, health and nutrition and protection, gender and inclusion, and peace and security which embed cross-cutting themes across all interventions.

Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, the Regional Director of IFRC Africa, Charles Businge emphasized the program’s significance in tackling climate-induced food crises.

“This program is a game-changer for Kenya’s food security. By strengthening local institutions and government systems, investing in public-private partnerships to ensure sustainability, and putting communities at the centre of decision-making and implementation, we are ensuring that vulnerable communities are not only fed but also empowered to sustain themselves,” he stated.

KRCS Secretary General, Dr. Ahmed Idris, reiterated the need for collaboration across multiple sectors, including government agencies, humanitarian organizations, the private sector, and community leaders.

“The FNRP is an ambitious program that showcases the power of partnerships in addressing hunger and malnutrition sustainably. Our approach integrates innovation, indigenous knowledge, and technology to drive impactful change,” Ahmed said.