WFP seeks funds to help over 1 million food-insecure Kenyans

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that it needs $137.6 million in funding to provide humanitarian assistance to over one million food-insecure Kenyans over the next six months. This funding is crucial to address the severe hunger crisis affecting vulnerable populations, especially in arid and semi-arid areas (ASALs).

According to WFP estimates, approximately one million Kenyans are currently facing acute food insecurity. This figure is expected to rise significantly, with projections indicating that 1.8 million people will be affected by January 2025, largely due to the anticipated La Nina weather conditions. The most affected populations are located in northern Kenya, where food scarcity is compounded by harsh environmental conditions.

Among those impacted, over 900,000 children aged six to 59 months, along with pregnant and breastfeeding women, are in critical need of nutritional support. High rates of malnutrition are concentrated in the ASAL regions, particularly in the north, where food access is limited, and healthcare infrastructure is often inadequate.

To address these challenges, the WFP, in collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Kenya’s Department of Refugee Services, is developing a tailored assistance model for refugee and asylum-seeker households. This new approach marks a shift away from the traditional one-size-fits-all model of aid distribution. Instead, refugees will be categorized based on their specific vulnerabilities and needs, with the most vulnerable receiving comprehensive support, while others may benefit from targeted programs like livelihood assistance, skills training, and economic resources.

This approach is designed to be more equitable, promoting sustainability and self-reliance in refugee communities. It is a long-term strategy that aims to empower refugees, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that families have the tools they need to rebuild their lives.

However, the WFP’s efforts are currently constrained by chronic funding shortages. As a result, food rations have been reduced to a record low of 40 percent, and cash transfers to 580,000 refugees in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps in northern Kenya have been temporarily halted since May. This funding shortfall is exacerbating the situation for already vulnerable populations.

The WFP has been gathering data and engaging with refugee communities to guide the development of the new assistance model. The process will be structured and inclusive, in line with the “do no harm” principle, ensuring that all interventions are conducted with the utmost care and respect for those affected.

The appeal underscores the urgent need for international support to prevent further deterioration of food security in Kenya and to ensure that aid reaches those most in need, particularly in the face of rising challenges brought on by climate change and funding gaps.