Freedom to choose - delivering money to drought affected families

Kenya has experienced below-average rainfall for five consecutive rainy seasons. As a result, over five million people face food insecurity across the country. The prolonged droughts have particularly affected rural communities who have lost their livestock due to a lack of pasture and water leading to widespread displacements.

Bishara Khalif is a mother of four and a resident of Tulatula Village in the outskirts of Wajir County. Like many others, Bishara has felt the impact of one of the longest droughts in the country that has claimed their livestock leaving millions poorer.

“I could not afford to have even one meal. We spent most days hungry. Even when I would get visitors, they would leave without eating. It was a terrible life during the drought.”

However, with the support of Oxfam and partners drawn under the Asal Humanitarian Network, a conglomeration of over 30 local organizations working to respond to the humanitarian crises in northern Kenya, Bishara and 3000 other families in the county received unconditional cash transfers to help cushion them against the impacts of the drought.

Receiving cash is opening up new possibilities for her and her family. She says she will use the money for food, medicines and school expenses to ensure her children get the right education, are well fed and clothed.

“I was at the market when I received the message, but I did not understand it. When I got home, I told my children to read the message, and was very glad when they told me we had received some money.”

The drought has affected the livelihoods of thousands of people in Kenya. Bishara’s story is an example of how Oxfam, working with local partners to mitigate the consequences of the drought, is providing life-saving assistance to displaced families.

“Without the cash transfer, I don’t know how my family would have survived.”

Families in East Africa have become desperate for food and water. Millions of children are malnourished. Livestock, which pastoralist families rely on for food and livelihoods, have died. The drought stretches far beyond this small Kenyan village with Oxfam estimating that over 31.5 million people across Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan are at risk of severe hunger.

As these crises continue to wreak havoc on the environment and livelihoods of those in Kenya and beyond, your generous support is what lets us continue to aid those affected by climate change. Please consider donating to ensure this work continues, helping those in need, together.