26 April 2017
Media release
Doubling the impact: New Zealand’s response to help drought-stricken Kenya
ChildFund New Zealand and Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand are calling for urgent donations to provide emergency food and
water aid to children and their families in drought-stricken Turkana, Kenya, following a pledge from the New Zealand
Government to match the funds they secure.
Every dollar raised by ChildFund and Caritas will be matched by the New Zealand Government* up to a total contribution
of $250,000, doubling the impact of the humanitarian response.
“In Turkana, Kenya – where we are focusing our support, particularly low levels of rainfall have devastated crops and
increased disease in livestock. Conditions continue to worsen and we are already seeing the negative impacts on health
and nutrition particularly in young children,” explains ChildFund New Zealand CEO Paul Brown.
Mr. Brown says the ‘New Zealand’ response has been specifically designed by ChildFund and Caritas to address gaps in the
urgent assistance already being given by Kenya’s Government and other humanitarian partners. ChildFund and Caritas hope
their combined efforts will raise over half a million dollars to help the most vulnerable in the Turkana county.
“Our two-pronged approach will see Caritas provide urgent food to the most vulnerable house-holds, while ChildFund will
provide access to nutritious food for pre-school children and pregnant and lactating mothers; two of the most at risk
groups in the community.
“Our aim is to bridge the gap until the rains come and the next harvest is due in August,” he says.
As part of the coordinated response, 800 households will receive rations of dry food including maize, beans and oil to
see them through to the next harvest. The response will also give increased access to nutritious food such as Unimix, a
fortified porridge, and fortified cooking oil, to 1000 children below five years old, as well as take home rations for
200 pregnant and lactating women.
Looking long-term, New Zealand funds will also help increase access to safe drinking water through the building of a
borehole and creating five easily accessible water points in the community. In addition, parents will be given
well-being training to help them ensure the wellness of their children through health, nutrition, education and child
protection services.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Director Julianne Hickey says the two organisations are well-placed to respond to the
crisis.
“Caritas has established long term relationships in the communities and will utilise these to make a sustained impact
for the people of Turkana. We are looking forward to working with ChildFund so that the collective impact is greater,”
she says.
Mr. Brown continues: “Our local partners are well placed to provide up-to-date knowledge of the needs of the communities
there. The collaboration allows for a stronger response and puts New Zealand donations to better use, so we can make the
maximum impact for children and their families.
“By supporting this project New Zealanders can see their donations make a real difference to children and their families
in Turkana,” he concludes.
Just $48 will help provide clean water and emergency food supplies like Unimix to four children in Turkana, Kenya. Every
dollar donated, will be matched by the New Zealand Government – meaning New Zealand donations will go much further.
To make a donation, visit:
www.childfund.org.nz or call 0800 223 111
www.caritas.org.nz or call 0800 22 10 22
Ends