In Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions, overlapping crises such as the prolonged drought interspersed with flash floods, displacement, and a cholera outbreak continue to drive humanitarian needs. Data from the National Drought Management Authority, over 4.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. This includes an estimated 1,404,000 women of reproductive age and 121,750 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who are facing acute malnutrition.

“The drought has greatly affected pregnant women who struggle to access maternal healthcare,” says Garissa County Reproductive Health Coordinator Fatuma Iman. “The county has also seen an influx of new arrivals from neighboring Somalia who are fleeing conflict and drought,” she adds.

 UNFPA has partnered with the county governments of Garissa, Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, and Mandera and non-governmental partners to strengthen the provision of life-saving sexual and reproductive health information and services in the six drought-affected counties. The one-year project will also focus on prevention and response to gender-based violence and harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage for at-risk and vulnerable populations.

“We want to make sure that access to sexual and reproductive health and protection services for women and girls in the arid and semi-arid regions is not compromised due to crises such as the drought,” said UNFPA Representative Anders Thomsen.

With funding from the Governments of Japan, Ireland and Korea, the project aims to strengthen referral systems and human resources to ensure pregnant women experiencing complications can access emergency obstetric care. Essential reproductive health medicines and supplies will also be distributed to health facilities and hospitals to strengthen the provision of reproductive health care. UNFPA will work with partners including the Kenya Red Cross, Peace Winds Japan International Rescue Committee, FilmAid Kenya, and the Collaborative Center for Gender and Development to improve access to GBV hotlines, safe spaces, shelters, and one-stop centres that provide medical care and psychosocial support to survivors of gender-based violence.  

In 2022, UNFPA reached 250,000 women and girls across Kenya’s drought-affected counties with reproductive health and protection services, distributing more than 26,000 dignity kits containing essential hygiene items such as sanitary pads to the most vulnerable populations.