Kenya, Garissa district, North Eastern Province
£35,474
Sustainable Community Livelihoods Through Horticulture Irrigation Project.
Funds for: the distribution of seeds and seedlings, fruit trees, 2 irrigation structures and project support costs. 
Beneficiaries: 4,263 former pastoralists (nomadic people) - 609 households in 10 community farms.
Kenya has experienced several severe disasters in a short time span owing to natural disasters and political violence. In recent years, prolonged drought (including consecutive seasons of failed rains) has lead to severe food shortage.
The shortages in Garissa County have resulted in over 50% of the population currently receiving relief food.
Pastoralists have been particularly badly affected. They were traditionally dependent on livestock for income/nutrition and have lost everything as a result of droughts, lack of natural resources, increased livestock diseases and death (the animals died as a result of the drought), adverse trade factors, high malnutrition, widespread land degradation and perennial water scarcity.
Poverty rates in the County are currently at 70%. Also, there is poor, inadequate infrastructure ie. poor education services, medical services (hence high maternal and child mortality), limited access to water (women and girls walk 20km - 12 miles - to fetch water); poor hygiene and sanitation (only 14% of people have access to sanitary means) and there is widespread violence against women and children e.g. rape, battery, trafficking, child labour and harmful cultural practices e.g. FGM (female genital mutilation) and early marriage.
Additionally, poor diet has caused high levels of malnutrition and anaemia and there is a high incidence of disease and infections (including malaria, TB, diarrhoea, worms and many other diseases).
Aim of Project Funding: to improve food security, nutrition status and household income for the communities through livelihoods diversification.
The former pastoralists will be helped to develop the use of fruit and vegetables instead of livestock, for healthier nutrition and improved income.
Crops grown shall be: bananas, beans, cow peas, fruit trees, green grams, green peppers, guavas, hot peppers, kales, lemons, maize, mangoes, melons (sweet melon, watermelon), onions, oranges, paw paw, spinach and
tomatoes. This produce will provide nutritious food and the additional income from the sale of surplus crops will address other needs e.g. health and education provision.
Through irrigation, crops will be grown all year round.
Financed through Concern Universal (Hereford, UK) working with in-country partner WOKIKE.
