In Kenya, Rains Return But Feeding Continues

World Concern
Tuesday, 31 July 2001

KENYA – The return of rain to the drought stricken Narok district of Kenya has bolstered hopes for a good harvest and calving season this autumn. Until then, Seattle based World Concern will continue to work with the World Food Programme as the leading agency providing emergency food distribution to that area.

The nomadic Maasai people who live in Narok measure their wealth by the number of cattle and goats a family owns. Milk is one of their main dietary staples. When the drought hit, the livestock stopped producing milk, then died from the severe shortage of food and water. Death and starvation then threatened five million people.

According to World Concern's Africa Director, Tom LePage, World Concern plans to continue its emergency feeding program for 230,000 people at risk, including women, children and the elderly, through December. "When the feeding program ends, the next step will be to help people rebuild their herds and work toward better preparation for future droughts."

World Concern has been working in the Narok district of Kenya since 1983. To help people prepare for future crises, World Concern will continue to work through local churches to help develop better sources of clean water and improved management of agriculture and livestock.

For more information, or to contact World Concern, see their website at: www.worldconcern.org