Kenya rains unlikely to end food crisis
Published: May 7, 2008 at 8:40 PM
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 7 (UPI) -- Rains in northeastern Kenya are unlikely to end the African nation's food shortage crisis any time in the near future, aid workers say.
The food crisis is mainly affecting nomadic people in semi-arid regions of the country, U.N. Integrated Regional Information Networks reported Wednesday.
"The rains may be there but that doesn't translate into improved milk availability, food access and food security," said Assumpte Ndumi, a Save the Children nutrition coordinator.
Civilians said they are unable to provide food to their families because of rising prices.
"The price for 1kg (2.2) pounds of (maize meal) is now $1.45. It used to be 80 cents. How can I feed my eight children?" said Mohammed Yakub, assistant chief in the remote village El Ram.
Many livestock have died as a result of serious droughts in past years, a major setback for nomadic pastoralists whose livelihoods depend on the trade of animals, aid agencies said.
The food crisis is mainly affecting nomadic people in semi-arid regions of the country, U.N. Integrated Regional Information Networks reported Wednesday.
"The rains may be there but that doesn't translate into improved milk availability, food access and food security," said Assumpte Ndumi, a Save the Children nutrition coordinator.
Civilians said they are unable to provide food to their families because of rising prices.
"The price for 1kg (2.2) pounds of (maize meal) is now $1.45. It used to be 80 cents. How can I feed my eight children?" said Mohammed Yakub, assistant chief in the remote village El Ram.
Many livestock have died as a result of serious droughts in past years, a major setback for nomadic pastoralists whose livelihoods depend on the trade of animals, aid agencies said.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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A Palestinian refugee Mohamad Harb 85 year Old . shows his old house keys from his former village as a symbol of hope that his may return his one day on May 12, 2008 in his Rafah refugee camp which is located within the Gaza Strip. Harb used to live in the village of Hmamh before his family was forced to immigrate to the Gaza Strip in 1948. After sixty years Harb has hope of returning to his old village which is now in Israeli territory and is named Kreat Hmamh. Traditionally Palestinians commemorate May 15th as Nakba Day or Catastrophe Day, the day the Israeli State was created in 1948.(UPI Photo/Ismael Mohamad)
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