Talaso, in northern Kenya, is worried about how she will feed her newborn baby after almost all her livestock died in a devastating drought.
Right now, up to 20 million people across Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia are fighting for survival in the face of the most devastating food crisis in decades.
The worst drought in 40 years
Talaso is a young mum living in northern Kenya. She and her husband used to live comfortably – until the drought killed almost all the animals she relied on to earn a living. So when she gave birth to her second son, Ali, just a few months ago, she found it hard to cope.
Talaso’s neighbours shared their food and water. They always help each other in times of need. But this drought has gone on so long, soon nobody will have anything left to give.
“It is very distressing to be unable to feed your children. When they feel hungry, they cry. When they get thirsty, they cry. And as a mother, when you don't have anything to give them, that's the most distressing thing of all.”
People are doing everything possible to adapt
Talaso’s community have done all they can to try to adapt to the crisis. They spent weeks working together to repair a water pan – a large pond designed to collect rainwater. But it has only rained once since then, and not enough to fill the pan.
Local experts from our Church network are working hard to deliver emergency food and water to help people survive. But the sad truth is this crisis is the result of man-made climate change. It won’t be fixed overnight. We need every bit of support we can get to help families like Talaso build a future in which they can thrive.
What is causing the food crisis in East Africa?
The climate crisis has made rain unreliable. Four years of failed rainy seasons have created an unprecedented drought.
Livestock have died in vast numbers, crops have failed and water is difficult to come by.
Food costs have risen at an alarming rate as a result of inflation caused by the war in Ukraine and the lasting effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic.
You could help children get the future they deserve
The first months of Ali’s life were hard for Talaso, but she already has big dreams for his future.
“I want Ali to go to school,” she said. “I believe if young people go to school and get a good education they will come and help the community. I have seen many people who have gone to school coming back and helping the community.”
By getting an education, children can learn skills and get opportunities to help their community adapt to the climate crisis. But the drought is making it harder for parents to keep their children in school. Talaso worries about how she will pay for Ali to go to school if she has to keep buying water.
“It is very unfair,” she said. “When you want to educate your child, but you don't have the means because you have to buy water when you shouldn't need to. It's a very unfair situation.”
Your gift today could help children stay in school.
No-one should have to choose between education and water
Your support today could help deliver nutritious food to schools struggling to feed their students, and in exchange those schools will allow children from some of the poorest families to study free of charge. You could help a child get the chance to learn, and ensure families like Talaso’s have more money to meet their essential needs.