Photo: Human Treatment Services and Health Talks taking place concurrently at Gafarsa OHU
Kenya experienced one of the worst droughts, that spread to early 2023. According to rainfall data, Northern parts of the country experienced below normal to nil rainfall during the annual rainfall seasons for four consecutive years. This had effects to the livelihoods of the people, particularly those who depend on natural resources for their survival. In Isiolo and Marsabit counties of Kenya, pastoralist residing in the areas experienced death of livestock due to water and pasture shortage, diseases. Additionally, other spill over effects of the prolonged droughts were experienced like increased malnutrition especially among the most vulnerable members of the society like pregnant and lactating women, infants under five and the elderly.
The rains short rainfall season finally started, the landscape of the rangelands has changed and the animals that had moved to other areas in search of water and pasture are slowly coming back. Families are reuniting and it is expected that the malnutrition levels will slow down. However, rainfall in the rangelands sometimes are accompanied with floods, spread of human and animal diseases like Malaria and RVF. HEAL programme is taking the earliest opportunity to sensitize the communities where we area implementing our initiatives on ways to stay safe and healthy during this rainfall season through enhancement of preventive and curative health services during the integrated outreach services, health talks and rangeland restoration and management engagement exercises.
Contributed by:
Robert Matheca | Project Officer | Amref Health Africa | Isiolo County
Dear Robert, thank you so much for sharing the situation update in Isiolo and HEAL’s radar on it!
The onset of the ‘Long Rains’ season of 2023 in Kenya had both positive and negative effects on the country. While the rains brought relief to drought-stricken regions, they also caused flash flood in some areas, leading to loss of human life, displacement, loss of property and damage to infrastructure. It is important for the government and all stakeholders to invest in strategies that mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events and ensure the sustainable management of water resources. With the right policies and practices in place, the HOA can better cope with the challenges posed by climate change and ensure the well-being of its people and ecosystems.