Introduction

Communities in northern Kenya continue to face devastating impacts of prolonged and recurrent droughts. In Wajir North and Mandera West sub-counties, drought has severely affected access to water, food security, livelihoods, and essential social services—placing women, children, and vulnerable groups at heightened risk.

In response to this urgent humanitarian crisis, IDURUS Development, in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) – Kenya, is implementing an Integrated Drought Response and Resilience Project aimed at saving lives, restoring dignity, and strengthening community resilience.

Background and Context

Wajir North and Mandera West are arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) where pastoralist and agro-pastoralist livelihoods form the backbone of local economies. However, consecutive seasons of failed rains have resulted in:

• Acute water shortages

• High livestock mortality

• Rising food insecurity

• Increased levels of malnutrition among children under five

• Disruption of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services

According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), both sub-counties are currently classified within the Alert to Alarm drought phases, characterized by critically low water levels, deteriorating rangelands, and eroded household coping mechanisms.

Project Goal

The project seeks to save lives, protect livelihoods, and build long-term resilience for drought-affected households through an integrated humanitarian and early recovery approach.

Key Objectives

The project focuses on five core objectives:

1. Improving access to safe water and sanitation

2. Enhancing food security and nutrition outcomes

3. Protecting and restoring pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods

4. Supporting continuity of early childhood education and protection services

5. Strengthening community preparedness and drought response systems

Target Population

The project directly targets 20,000 vulnerable people, including:

• Women-headed households

• Children under five years

• Pregnant and lactating women

• Pastoralists who have lost livestock

• Persons with disabilities and elderly community members

Beneficiaries are drawn from Wajir North (10,500) and Mandera West (9,500) sub-counties.

Proposed Interventions

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

• Rehabilitation of boreholes and water points

• Emergency water trucking

• Distribution of household water treatment supplies

• Hygiene promotion and community awareness campaigns

Food Security and Nutrition

• Cash-based transfers or food assistance

• Support to Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM)

• Nutrition education for caregivers

Livelihoods and Early Recovery

• Emergency livestock support (fodder, vaccination, treatment)

• Cash-for-work activities focusing on community assets

• Support for small-scale income-generating activities

Education and Child Protection

• Support to Madrasa and ECD centres with learning materials and meals

• Psychosocial support for young children

• Community awareness on child protection during emergencies

Community Resilience and Capacity Building

• Strengthening community drought committees

• Early warning and preparedness training

• Coordination with county disaster management structures

Coordination and Sustainability

The project aligns with county and national drought response frameworks and works closely with county governments, NDMA, UN agencies, and local partners. Capacity building and community participation are central to ensuring sustainability beyond the project period.

Conclusion

The Integrated Drought Response and Resilience Project represents a critical intervention for communities facing severe drought impacts in Wajir North and Mandera West. Through a people-centered and participatory approach, IDURUS Development aims to address immediate humanitarian needs while laying the foundation for long-term resilience.