AFRICA/KENYA - Farmers and local families distribute food to the starving

East Pokot (Agenzia Fides) - More than 3.6 million Kenyans are in urgent need of food. According to the Kenyan Red Cross (KRCS), the farmers, who have a surplus of food production, have organized themselves to donate food to their less fortunate compatriots in the Rift Valley Province. As there is no money or means of transport with which to send food, they have so far donated over 500 bags of potatoes and several loads of cabbages, carrots and pumpkin seeds, which were delivered in the northern district of East Pokot. Some of the benefactors do not have harvest in excess, yet they offer their products to support Kenyans affected by drought. Even a mother gave two or three cabbages only to give her contribution to feed the less fortunate. Thanks to this great collaboration, 150 sacks of Irish potatoes and 37 sacks of cabbages were distributed to 250 farms in eight villages in the area. Despite the skepticism of the Ministry in charge of Special Programs in the country, this initiative continues, and despite the challenges due to the fragmentary donations, the country is planning to transport agricultural products also to the Turkana area and northern Kenya. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 24/08/2011)