Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Fides Service)- Serious prolonged drought in north east Kenya is having serious social consequences. Oxfam International says herdsmen who have lost their animals because of water shortage could take more than 15 years to rebuild their flocks unless the government and donors make funds available quickly. At least 3.5 Kenyans are suffering from famine, most of them herdsmen whose only source of income are their animals.
Scarcity of water is also the cause of violent clashes last weekend between Kenyan and Ugandan shepherds living along the border between the two countries. The Ugandan army said herdsmen from both countries were killed on Saturday 18 March when 150 Kenyan ethnic Pokot cattle stealers attacked the village of Sundet in the district of Bukwa, north east Uganda killing four men. The Ugandan army intervened to stop the raid even using fighter helicopters and several bandits were killed in ensuing fighting with the Ugandan soldiers.
Although cattle stealing is frequent in communities along the Kenya-Uganda border, humanitarian operators in the area say these latest episodes were connected with the consequences of drought.
To face the emergency the UN World Food Programme WFP says it needs to collect 170 million dollars. WFP also said that in the meantime it has had to reduce food rations to about 230,000 refugees from Somalia and Sudan in two camps in north east Kenya who now receive 1,750 kilo-calories 20% less than the usual ration. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/3/2006 righe 28 parole 336)
