Drought Threatens Millions in the Horn of Africa
October 12, 2023 | 9:50 a.m.
When vulnerable people receive meals, they gain hope and comfort along with lifesaving nourishment.
Nanokale is a 56-year-old widow in the Turkana region of Kenya. The severe drought killed all of her livestock, making it difficult to earn an income and provide for her four children. But the food she receives from Convoy of Hope gives her the nutrition she desperately needs and reminds her she is not alone.
Lucy, a 13-year-old girl in the same region, faced hardships early on in life. Since her mother passed away when she was just 5 years old, she has taken on all of her family’s household responsibilities. Despite these challenges, Lucy has hope. The food she receives from Convoy ensures she gets the nourishment she needs and can continue helping her family.
These are just a few of the stories from the thousands and thousands of people living in the Horn of Africa who receive meals from Convoy. The drought has created and compounded existing hardship in the region, but Convoy is there to be a source of help and hope.
August 18, 2023 | 9:23 p.m.
Convoy of Hope is working in the Horn of Africa to help alleviate the suffering caused by the incessant drought in the area.
Awoton is an 89-year-old widow from a community in Turkana, a region in northern Kenya. Turkana’s arid landscapes and a harsh climate make it susceptible to recurrent droughts and food scarcity. After several years of failed rainy seasons, the region has experienced severe challenges with malnutrition and hunger.
Awoton has lived a life marked by challenges and loss. As a mother of four children, she has faced the hardship of raising her family on her own after losing her husband. During a time of great need, she received food from Convoy of Hope, making her feel a profound sense of care and reminding her that she is not forgotten.
The scarcity of water and fertile land has made it difficult for communities to grow enough food to sustain themselves. The Turkana people are facing chronic food insecurity, leading to malnutrition, stunted growth in children, and severe health complications. The support the people of Turkana receive during this incredibly difficult time brings comfort and relief.
July 25, 2023 | 3:09 p.m.
Convoy of Hope continually runs distributions in East Africa to bring help and hope to individuals and families affected by the yearslong severe drought in the area. Convoy has distributed more than 4.5 million meals across the region.
The need grows greater every day. The Horn of Africa has still not received sufficient rain. It will take years to heal from this level of devastation. Additionally, Russia’s decision to pull out of the grain deal with Ukraine will further exacerbate food insecurity in East Africa, as Ukraine was one of the world’s largest grain exporters.
The greatest need — identified by local leadership and Convoy’s teams on the ground — is an emergency-based food program. Individuals and families receive enough food to sustain them for a month at a time.
Continued food provision is the highest priority in this current crisis. Many families have a small amount of access to water sources, but do not have access to enough water for crops to grow or to sustain their livestock. The food Convoy provides allows families to allocate their scarce resources across the means they do not have. It helps sustain their day-to-day life.
Convoy of Hope remains committed to helping people in their most desperate times of need. Because of your support, Convoy can provide life-sustaining relief to hungry individuals and families in East Africa.
