20 January 2012
For the past six months, Kenya has been suffering from one of its worst droughts on record. This has had a devastating impact on the country’s already arid north – with water and grazing at perilously low levels. Livestock have died in huge numbers, increasing the levels of poverty and desperation felt in the fragile communities.
Tearfund has been working through partners to provide practical aid to the most vulnerable people affected by the drought. Our partner, Christian Community Services of Mount Kenya East (CCSMKE) has organised trucks to ferry thousands of litres of water to communities. One of those communities is Didadi village, where Tearfund’s water supplies are proving an essential lifeline. Previously, the women would leave home at 3am to begin the marathon journey to fetch water, only returning home eight hours later to begin the daily chores. The water has also meant the schools are able to stay open and allows them to cook meals for the children at lunchtime, boosting their nutrition when supplies are often limited at home.
However, in the past couple of weeks, some areas in Kenya have experienced rain – albeit too much. Flooding is hampering access to communities already made vulnerable by the drought, displacing hundreds from their homes. Tearfund has, so far, supported more than 25,000 of the most vulnerable people in northern Kenya to help them maintain a better quality of life despite the drought. Now that the rains have arrived, a new set of challenges lie in store.
- Praise God for the work of all the Tearfund partners in northern Kenya. Pray that their efforts would continue to yield results as they equip communities to become more resilient to future disasters.
- Pray for the communities affected by drought and flooding. Pray that God will be recognised as a source of love, comfort and support through their hardships.
- Thank God for the rains – pray that communities adversely affected by them will find help and support in their hardships.
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