Emergency food assistance for refugees

A serious food crisis is unfolding in Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya. Most of the 300,000 people in the camp are women and children. At least half of them identify as Christians.

They’ve been uprooted by war and persecution. They ran for their lives and found temporary refuge in Kenya. For decades they have been dependent upon the United Nations and humanitarian agencies for the most basic necessities of life, including food, shelter, water, medical care, and security.

The current crisis began when the US halted its foreign aid to places like Kakuma. A refugee pastor told me of the first people who died of issues related to malnourishment back in May. One was a teenage girl. The other was a 52 year old man with severe disabilities.

We have to help.

Our goal is simple. We will save lives by providing non-perishable food items to those in greatest need. As we do this in partnership with the refugee Church, we will strengthen their sense of agency and help them reflect the image of God to the people of Kakuma.

In August, we identified a church partner in the camp that has the capacity to facilitate an emergency food distribution. As we recognize that there is no way we will be able to assist everyone, our refugee church partner collaborated with other community and religious leaders to identify those who are most vulnerable. The project will serve the following people in the camp.

• orphans

• widows

• single mothers

• those with disabilities (including the deaf and blind)

• new arrivals

Our generous financial partners made it possible for us to wire $5000 to our refugee church partner in August. They quickly converted the funds into food and implemented the first distribution.

2,060 People Received Assistance!

The 2,060 people that received emergency assistance were from 331 households representing nearly every nationality in Kakuma refugee camp, including people from Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, DR Congo, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Uganda.

Each vulnerable household received the following distribution of nonperishable food.

• 17.6 lbs of corn flour

• 6.6 lbs of beans

• 2 quarts of cooking oil

• 2 cups of salt

Can you imagine the joy and relief they experienced just knowing they have what they need to survive for the time being?

We can't wait to do it again!

“We believe that this provision from IAFR is from God. Let God continue to provide to help the people who are suffering in Kakuma camp and Kalobeyei settlement so that we can increase the number of vulnerable beneficiaries.” - Pastor Mawazo Celestin, Kakuma

We need to raise $4,000 in order to sponsor another distribution of food to the most vulnerable people in Kakuma.

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CLICK HERE to learn more about Kakuma Emergency Assistance!