More than 14 million people in east Africa—Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Burundi—are in urgent need of food due to persistent drought.

In Kenya, one of the worst affected areas, 3.5 million people need food and water.

People living in the north, southeast, and along parts of Kenya’s coast have been worst-hit by the crisis. The rate of child malnutrition is rising as the drought continues for a third year.

Many children have abandoned their schooling. Boys accompany their fathers in search of water and green pastures for their animals. And older girls join their mothers in search of water for drinking and for domestic use.

The school children who do not need to assist their families in the daily search for food and water have difficulty learning. They are weak. They fall asleep. They cannot concentrate.

World Vision is There
World Vision is distributing food to many of the affected districts and is managing other programs, such as agricultural recovery and water supply projects, designed to help communities cope with the drought.

World Vision helps support school feeding programs, providing children with at least one meal a day. At lunch, World Vision feeds girls and boys boiled maize and peas. Even though this is the only food these children will have all day, many bring a portion home to share with their parents and siblings.

What You Can Do
Click here to help send emergency food, water, and supplies.