By Betty Luke
Thousands of vulnerable families in six wards of Isiolo County have received food aid aimed at cushioning children from pangs of hunger occasioned by the recent drought that resulted in massive loss of animals- the source of livelihood for the majority of the residents.
The provisions of maize, rice, green grams and cowpeas, were provided by Child Welfare Society in partnership with the office of Isiolo Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya.
A total of 6000 households from Garbatulla, Kinna, Bulapesa, Sericho, Oldonyiro and Burat will each receive 20 kilograms maize, six kilograms cow peas, six kilograms green grams and four kilograms rice.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms Habiba Fugicha hailed the program, saying it would go a long way in supporting the poor families who had suffered a double tragedy of prolonged drought and insecurity.
“We lost all our animals to the drought and tried diversifying to farming which has not been reliable due to the insecurity crisis in Burat. We have been living in fear of banditry attacks and thus unable to concentrate on our farms,” she told The Press Point.
According to Ms Fugicha, there was need for other elected leaders to support residents who were in dire need of food aid.
“We appreciate the little we have received but appeal for more. Those in need of food aid in Burat ward are more than the 1,000 who were identified,” the resident said.
Another beneficiary Ms Halima Huka said the aid would greatly support families especially now that children are at home for the holidays.
Lauding the Child Welfare Society for supporting the vulnerable families in the county, MP Bonaya appealed to the residents to show compassion to the needy by sharing with those who lack.
“We should not just let the organizations donate food alone, we should also share the little we have with the less fortunate,” she urged.
The lawmaker added, “I reached out to the society following the increase in poverty levels among the residents due to the prolonged drought and appreciate that they have offered timely humanitarian response to the people.”
She revealed that the beneficiaries were identified through the local administrations with priority on the most vulnerable cases.
Child Welfare Society representative Ms Mary Thiong’o said the initiative was aimed at retaining children within the families while ensuring they have an access to food which is among the basic needs.
“We want to ensure children are comfortable at home and are not engaged in child labour to earn a livelihood so that they concentrate on their education,” she said.
