October 2011
Christian Community Services responds in Kenya
The East Africa food crisis appeal has enabled Christian Aid partner Christian Community Services (CCS) to scale up their work in north eastern Kenya.
In Marsabit district up to 80% of animals have died due to the drought. CCS provides life saving support through distributing feed to the remaining goats.
The goats are essential for the people as their milk provides an alternative food source. This is especially important for children under five, who are now drinking milk daily. Children, the elderly and breastfeeding mothers are also being monitored to ensure that there health does not deteriorate further.
CCS also tankers water to the worst affected areas- for some they have not seen rain for more than 4 years. They support community boreholes, which provide vital water for tens of thousands of animals.
The CCS team are committed to long-term sustainable development in northern Kenya. They will continue to work with communities throughout the drought period and beyond to ensure that they are better equipped to face further disasters.
As Timothy Kamutu, who works for CCS explains: ‘My hope and vision is to see a community that when the drought comes is able to cope with the drought, and are able to spring back to their normal lives without having to call for assistance from outside.’