Disaster Re-Declaration, Kenya Drought

UNCLAS NAIROBI 000096 SIPDIS USAID/DCHA FOR MHESS, WGARVELINK, LROGERS DCHA/OFDA FOR KISAACS, GGOTTLIEB, MMARX, IMACNAIRN, KCHANNELL, LPOWERS, CABLA DCHA/FFP FOR JDWORKEN, DNELSON, SBRADLEY AFR/EA FOR JESCALONA, JBORNS AFR/DP FOR TLAVELLE Dept for AF/E E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ETRD ECON PREL PGOV SOCI KE SUBJECT: Disaster Re-Declaration, Kenya Drought ¶1. Summary: Drought conditions continue in Kenya. Ambassador declares a disaster for FY 2006 and requests new assistance from USAID's Offices of Foreign Disaster Assistance and Food for Peace. End Summary ¶2. Drought conditions persist in Kenya due to widespread failure of the short rains season. The situation has become acute in the marginal agricultural areas of the Eastern Province and pastoralist northeast region. The Kenyan Meteorological Department predicts the next rains are not due until March 2006. ¶3. Millions of Kenyans continue to be affected by the erratic rainfall of the past few years. Under the current Emergency Operation Program (EMOP),the World Food Program (WFP) is providing food in 22 Districts and NGOs and other agencies are supporting water, nutritional and agricultural activities to assist affected populations. ¶4. In FY 2005, the USG provided 37,090 MT of food commodities valued at USD 19 million in humanitarian assistance, and USD 2.1 million from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance for non-food interventions. USAID Kenya is supporting developmental programming in some of the worst- affected areas in Kenya. An additional pledge of 12,000MT of wheat is planned and would be swapped with local maize for immediate relief distribution. ¶5. It is beyond the ability of the government of Kenya (GOK) to address fully the needs of the affected population. On December 31, Kenya's President Kibaki declared the drought a national emergency and appealed for USD 153 million in international assistance. ¶6. It is in the USG's interest to assist Kenyans affected by drought on humanitarian grounds and to enhance the relationship with the GOK. Publicizing the aid will improve local perception of the U.S. and encourage support for our regional policies. ¶7. Post therefore determines that resources should continue to be provided to respond to humanitarian requirements in Kenya, and declares a disaster for fiscal year 2006. Specific requests for additional OFDA and FFP assistance will be forthcoming. Bellamy