Germany has earmarked Ksh.15 billion for food relief programme for Kenya, in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis occasioned by drought.
The country’s Federation Foreign Office said both Ethiopia and Somalia will also benefit from the kitty.
The funds will be channelled to drought-hit regions to arrest the ongoing famine.
On September 8, 2021, former President Uhuru Kenyatta declared drought in Kenya a national disaster, and today, more than 3 million Kenyans are reeling from the crisis.
In statement Thursday, French Embassy in Kenya said more than 20.5 million people in these three countries need food assistance.
Today, half of Somalia population is dependent on humanitarian assistance for basic needs, with 121,000 people already in famine.
“By December, the number is expected to reach 300, 560 in Somalia,” said the French Embassy.
In Ethiopia alone, 24.1 million people are already affected by drought and more than 20 million are food insecure nationwide.
In response to the crisis, both Germany and France have agreed to transport 50,000 tonnes of food from Ukraine.
These initiative will be supported by a total, Ksh.1.6 billion from both countries to ensure the grains reach both Somalia and Ethiopia.
Germany will cover the costs for the delivery to Ethiopia while France will cover costs for the delivery to Somalia.
“The Ukraine donation is a sign of great solidarity while the country suffers a war of aggression. A state, which is itself in need, gives generously to save people in the Horn of Africa from starvation.”
Their response coincides with that of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), under its newly established Food Shock Window kitty for a one year period for countries to deal with biting food crisis.
Food Shock Window programme was announced on October 1 and will provide an additional line of defence after grants and concessional financing for select countries on the looming food crisis occasioned by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and coronavirus economic shocks.
The funding programme will also be extended to poor countries or better known, low-income countries globally, the IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Saturday, September 30.
“With this new financing window, the IMF will be providing additional assistance to help people in vulnerable countries deal with one of the worst crises of all: hunger,” said Georgieva.
Food crisis is spreading around the globe with Georgieva saying a record 345 million people whose lives and livelihoods are in immediate danger from acute food insecurity.
