What is going on there now? What is the crisis?

The Turkana area is experiencing a harsh drought which has led to a food shortage in the region. The less-than-average rainfall during the rainy season and the total absence of the short autumnal rains in 2018 have aggravated the current situation, escalating the drought to a dangerous level.

How many people are at risk of starvation?

Nearly 200,000 people are in urgent need of food in Turkana, while it’s estimated that about 1.1 million people in half of Kenya’s counties do not have access to enough food.

What is Bright Hope doing to help in this crisis?

Bright Hope is currently in the process of implementing a sustainable farming solution that will help mitigate food insecurity. In the short term, with the help of our church partners, we are distributing flour, beans, oil and salt to communities and families that have the greatest needs.

Is drought common in Turkana?

Droughts have been recorded in this region since the 1960s. The drought used to occur approximately every five years, but since the 1990s, it’s now almost a yearly phenomenon. Since the people rely on their livestock for food and income, this has severely impacted them. Any calamity that befalls their animals tends to drastically affect their livelihood. This is why the starvation risk is real.

Would the problem be solved if it rained immediately?

It’s not that simple. The people would need time for their animals to restock naturally (reproduction) after so many have died. Planting season has just begun, therefore harvest would not occur for a few more months... so there would still be shortage of food for both humans and animals. Once the rains subside again, the cycle could repeat itself, but not as severely as it is now.

Is the local government doing anything to help?

Yes, the government is distributing food and water, but they have limited resources. Some irrigation system development has occurred to establish agriculture in the region, but this is a process. Adaption through positive experience is necessary in order to change the attitudes and mindset of the Turkana people, who identify with the pastoralist way of living. Some simply hope that it will rain and that there will be an abundance of pasture for their animals.