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The collective impact of drought, rising commodity prices, livestock disease, election-related violence, and chronic under-development in Kenya has resulted in a food security crisis affecting approximately 1.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the U.N., government, and non-governmental organization consortium of the Kenya Food Security Steering Group. The total includes approximately 300,000 people affected by post-election violence in early 2008 and approximately 1.1 million people in arid and semi-arid areas of Rift Valley, Eastern, and North Eastern provinces.

Erratic rainfall has diminished livestock production has negatively affected nutrition and food security among pastoralist populations dependent on livestock for their livelihoods. UNICEF reports 19 to 22 percent global acute malnutrition (GAM) rates in northwest pastoral areas and 3.2 percent severe acute malnutrition (SAM) rates in Turkana District, northern Rift Valley Province, significantly above the 15 and 1 percent emergency thresholds for GAM and SAM rates, respectively. Despite the onset of seasonal rains, Turkana District remains vulnerable due to chronic water shortages and under-development. In addition, interrupted domestic crop production and trade related to the post-election crisis in early 2008 and an increase in staple food prices by more than 100 percent in many areas have further exacerbated food insecurity.

On October 29, 2008, U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger reissued a disaster declaration due to food insecurity in Kenya. In FY 2008, USAID/OFDA provided more than $11 for humanitarian interventions in response to post-election violence and food insecurity. In addition, USAID/OFDA deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Kenya in January in response to post-election violence, followed by the activation of a Washington, D.C.-based Response Management Team (RMT) in June and the deployment of a second DART in September as part of a regional response to the growing food security crisis in the Horn of Africa. In FY 2009, USAID/OFDA continues to support a wide range of relief programming including health, nutrition, economy and market systems, logistics and relief commodities, humanitarian coordination and information management, protection, shelter and settlements, and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions. USAID/OFDA staff in Kenya continue to monitor humanitarian conditions and coordinate response efforts.

Incidents of violence and looting related to disputed presidential election results erupted across Kenya beginning December 30. As of January 2, the turmoil had displaced an estimated 100,000 people primarily in western areas, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society. Media reports indicate between 150 and 300 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries as a result of election-related violence.

On January 3, U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger declared a disaster due to the effects of election-related violence. In response, USAID/OFDA is providing $200,000 through USAID/Kenya to the Kenya Red Cross Society for the purchase and distribution of emergency relief supplies, including blankets and shelter material, for communities displaced by the violence. USAID/OFDA staff in Kenya are monitoring the situation and coordinating with other U.S. and international agencies to facilitate humanitarian assistance to affected populations.

Unusually heavy rainfall in October and November caused widespread flooding in many parts of Coast, Western, and North Eastern provinces of Kenya. According to aid agencies, more than 700,000 people were affected by the flooding, including 100,000 refugees at the Dadaab refugee complex in North Eastern Province. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported an increased incidence of water-related diseases stemming from disrupted water supplies. In addition, significant damage and destruction to roads and infrastructure disrupted access and the provision of humanitarian supplies to affected areas. Flooding also destroyed crops and farmland, raising concerns over the longer term food security situation in flood-impacted regions.

On November 28, U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger declared a disaster due to the cumulative impact of the flooding. OFDA is providing $100,000 to the Kenya Red Cross Society to support emergency relief assistance to flood victims. In addition, OFDA supports ongoing emergency assistance programs with six non-governmental organization partners and the U.N. Children's Fund in the affected areas, targeting health and water and sanitation sectors.

Children from pastoralist households benefit from USAID-funded interventions during the 2006 drought in Kenya.

Heavy rainfall since mid-October compounded by rains between November 9 and 14 caused widespread flooding in parts of Kenya. In particular, the refugee camp complex at Dadaab in North Eastern Province sustained severe damage as a result of the flooding, which directly affected an estimated 100,000 refugees, killed 2 people, and left more than 72,000 people homeless. In addition, significant damage and destruction to roads and infrastructure disrupted access and the provision of humanitarian supplies to the affected camps.

On November 16, U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger declared a disaster due to the impact of the flooding. The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), U.N. World Food Program (WFP), U.N Children's Fund (UNICEF) and their non-governmental organization partners coordinated response efforts. The Combined Joint Task Force for the Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) assisted in airlifting relief supplies to Dadaab. OFDA responded through ongoing emergency assistance programs with CARE and UNICEF in the affected areas targeting health, water and sanitation.

For information on additional USAID disaster responses in Kenya, please see OFDA Annual Reports.

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