Kenya (MNN) — More than 2 million people in Kenya are facing drought and acute food insecurity after the rainy season ended far below average in December. The government and aid organizations are working to deliver food, water, and financial support — but the need is growing faster than relief efforts can keep up.
In response, the European Union has pledged €250,000 in relief funds for Kenya’s drought-impacted communities.
One ministry working on the ground is Kenya Hope, which supports Hope Centers in Narok villages. Each Hope Center has a well for clean drinking water and provides meals and other community resources.
Bryan Haley, executive director of Kenya Hope, says, “This area really missed out on all of the rain and water that they rely on for the entire year. So a lot of…the communities that we serve are really dry and in drought right now.”
(Photo courtesy of Kenya Hope)
As the drought drags on, Kenya Hope is pivoting to meet people’s growing needs.
“We’ve increased the water supply that we are providing. Normally, we ask our centers to collect a small fee for water so that they can prepare for ongoing maintenance and things. But we’ve stopped that so that water is free and accessible to everybody,” Haley says.
“We’ve also increased the amount of…meals that we are providing so everyone in the community is still being fed during drought because obviously, without water, that means they can’t sell their livestock. A lot of their sources of income have dried up, literally, because there’s no water. So we want to make sure that people are cared for in the most essential way possible.”
Even as Kenya Hope responds to physical needs, Haley says the ministry’s mission goes deeper.
“The word hope in our Hope Center means so much more than just water. The Gospel is key to that as well…. We want to see the Gospel flourish in every area of life.”
(Photo courtesy of Kenya Hope)
As Kenya Hope meets peoples physical and spiritual needs, your prayers are an encouragement. Haley asks, “Pray for rain. The next rain season isn’t really until March, but we are praying for God to deliver water at any time and to sustain people during the drought.”
You can find ways to support Kenya Hope’s mission at kenyahope.org.
Header photo courtesy of Kenya Hope.
