PAST PROJECT
This project provided general drought relief to 1200 women and girls in Ruka, Galmagala, Modogashe and Sankuri in Garissa County.

The effects of the La Nina conditions predicted by all meteorological associations in Kenya in July 2010 are being experienced in Fafi, Garissa, Ijara and districts of Garissa County, following depressed rainfall conditions in October-December 2010. The drought is currently at the late alarm stage and the climate prediction experts [ICPAC1 and KMED2] issued a La Nina forecast which indicated that these areas will risk early cessation of short rains and drier than normal conditions.

Garissa County is the worst affected by the current drought, the area has been depleted by the migration of people and animals from the neighbouring districts. The Women, girls and elderly are the most affected and bearing the burden of drought since most of the men shifted and left them behind with children and dying animals, hence they are providing for their family alone.

The schools have also been affected due to migration trends within the district, which have lowered school enrolment numbers. Children can no longer attend as they are given the responsibility in the family to take care of animals. To ensure communities are always ready for a disaster, be it drought or flood, there must be a long term solution on how to build resilience and coping mechanism.

IDRF and PGI provided food aid and non-food aid (mosquito nets, sanitary towels, mats) to 800 vulnerable women in Ruka, Galmagal, Modogashe and Sankuri in Garissa County and to 400 in girls in secondary schools in Garissa County. Weekly water distributions were also conducted along with provision of water tanks. Moreover, supplemental food aid, medicine, and vitamins were given to 200 pregnant women.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

• Provided general drought relief to 1200 women and girls in Ruka, Galmagala, Modogashe and Sankuri in Garissa County.
  
• Provision of nutritional food for 200 children
  
• Provision of 200 pregnant and lactating mothers with nutritional food, vitamins and medicine
  
• Ensured 800 women and 400 school going girls access food and non food items
  
• Reduced girls dropout rate of girls in schools
  
• Increased the nutritional and health levels of the pregnant and lactating mothers and their children.
  
• Reduced malnutrition level of the children

PROJECT BENEFICIARIES

• The project had a direct impact on the 1600 beneficiaries, including women and girls, affected by the current drought.
  
• The food aid support to girls’ schools reduced the dropout rate of girls.
  
• The pregnant and breastfeeding mothers were supported with highly nutritious foods to keep them overcome the drought. This boosted their health and their childrens’ health.
  
• 200 Children were supported with fortified flour porridge

Partner: Pastoralis Girls Initiative (PGI)