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NEWS > Horn of Africa food crisis > Kenya drought: cbm and partners distribute food

Kenya drought: cbm and partners distribute food

Watch food distribution on video






 
cbm and partners distribute food
The mothers of 800 children under five received supplementary food on 10 August 2011  near Isiolo, central Kenya.
Combating the 2011 East Africa food crisis, cbm and partners are distributing food in Kenya, targeting children under five, vulnerable households and schools welcoming children with disabilities. Awareness sessions on nutrition and hygiene are being organised and plans for the coming months being made, including distribution of seeds and training to improve food production.


Children under five particularly at risk

On 10 August, cbm and its local partner organisation 'SPARK' distributed food to the mothers of 800 children under five years of age in the district of Meru, central Kenya. They were given 'four-flour mix' produced locally in compliance with the World Health Organisation’s standards on infant food.

Assessment missions had shown that the under fives in this area are very vulnerable, notably because children under school age do not benefit from government-sponsored school meals. Their parents had to walk for 15 kilometres to borrow food in a neighbouring location, leaving the children at home.

There are already reports of increasing numbers of children with stunted growth due to the present food crisis and the risk of long-term impairments caused by malnutrition is dramatically heightened for young children in the 0-5 age group. This group has therefore been determined as a priority target of cbm’s intervention.
Mothers receive a special mix for children
Mothers received a special mix of four different types of flour that complies with WHO standards
   
Mothers being sensitived about the importance of washing hands
Mothers being sensitised about the importance of washing hands to prevent spread of disease		 Prevention through sensitisation

The food distributions are also opportunities to sensitise local communities. An awareness-raising session about nutrition and hygiene took place before the distribution. The emphasis was on the importance of breastfeeding and a balanced diet, the process of hand-washing using a leaky tin and its importance in the prevention of hygiene-related diseases, such as trachoma.

cbm’s support in terms of food distribution in the district for the next three months also concerns St. Lucy’s School for visually impaired children and St. Oda’s School for hearing impaired children, as well as close to 1,700 vulnerable households. These households are each receiving monthly rations of cereals, pulse and oil.


Getting prepared for the next rains

Food distribution is foreseen to be needed until February 2012. Rains are expected in January 2012, and the first yields in February.

For cbm and its partners the next step therefore consists of distributing seeds and training farmers and households so that they are better prepared when the next rains come.

Village committees will be formed and trained in appropriate agriculture in order to ensure that the beneficiaries make the best possible use of the seeds distributed. Training will focus on preparing farmers to produce greater yields, and manage and market their produce more efficiently.

See all cbm Horn of Africa videos here.
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