The EU, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Sweden and Denmark are bolstering food security in Kenya and neighbouring countries with more than US$153.50mn at a time of crisis due to COVID-19
This includes help for farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs, assistance in the fight against locusts, humanitarian aid and epidemic control measures. At least US$23.02mn of this support will go to Kenya.
Concretely, the European support for food and nutrition security covers financial and logistical support to farmers and small and medium enterprises including getting seeds and foddering for their livestock. The purpose of the support is to strengthen value chains in the horticulture, dryland crops and dairy sectors. The integration of food security and water programmes are crucial component of this effort, with the ultimate aim being to build resilience and ensure longer-term food security.
Additionally, the EU is focusing on strengthening sustainable trade with Kenya, for instance by supporting additional cargo flights. This has ensured that essential agricultural goods have continued to enter Kenya, underpinning local food security, and Kenyan goods can enter Europe, supporting Kenyan livelihoods.
‘Team Europe’ support is furthermore being provided for the treatment of acute malnutrition, especially for young children, and to boost the overall health situation through the provision of basic services and epidemics control. The immediate needs of refugees and internally displaced people, such as protection, shelter, food, access to health and nutrition care, as well as clean water, are a core component of European assistance. Support also extends to longer term joined up support for both refugees AND their host communities aimed at fostering socio-economic inclusion.
With around 25mn people already at risk of food shortages in the region, the desert locust upsurge is an additional threat to food security and livelihoods, especially for the most vulnerable communities. The population’s access to sufficient and nutritious food is at risk of being severely reduced by rising food prices. The coronavirus pandemic has aggravated the situation, as prevention and control measures can create additional challenges to the delivery of humanitarian aid to people in need.
Therefore, ‘Team Europe’ is assisting Kenya and the region to tackle locusts and provide support to affected pastoralists and farmers through funding to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
