Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok has called on the national government and humanitarian organizations to expedite food aid deliveries to combat the ongoing drought.
A National Drought Management Agency (NDMA) assessment confirms severe drought conditions across most of Turkana County, with early warnings issued in January 2019 about potential impacts.
The NDMA had previously warned of drought risks in its January 2019 report, highlighting the potential for widespread food insecurity.
The county government has procured 36,000 50kg maize bags, 10,000 50kg bean bags, and 10,000 20-liter cooking oil jerrycans under the first relief phase of the current financial year.
Nanok stated that distribution of the relief supplies began on February 28 and aims to reach 84,923 households through 665 Food Distribution Points (FDPs).
High-priority areas include Kaeris, Kaaleng’/Kaikor, Lapur, and Upper Lake Zone in Turkana North; Kibish; Naanam, Songot, Letea, and Lopur in Turkana West; Kerio Delta and Upper Kalokol in Turkana Central; Lobei/Kotaruk and Turkwel in Loima; Lobokat, Kalapata, and Upper Lokichar in Turkana South; and Kapedo, Lokori/Kochodin, and Katilia in Turkana East.
Nanok noted that disaster preparedness officers and ward administrators have been deployed to oversee distribution and monitor conditions in affected regions.
