The people in Kakuma refugee camp fled their homelands because their lives were endangered. Survival in Kakuma has always been challenging, but in 2025 it became even more so. Food rations distributed by the World Food Program (WFP) were never enough, but they kept people alive. In 2025 the United States halted its foreign aid, including USAID. The sudden loss of funding caused rations to be dramatically reduced. WFP can no longer guarantee the regular distribution of food. They now limit their assistance to those they deem most vulnerable. But everyone in Kakuma is extremely vulnerable. Out of desperation, those who no longer receive rations have protested. One protest turned violent in July 2025. IAFR is partnering with refugee churches in Kakuma to help those most in need receive life-giving assistance.

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The Opportunity

Give to this project to help the most vulnerable people in Kakuma refugee camp survive this food crisis. Refugee churches have identified the most vulnerable people to include orphans, widows, pregnant women, single mothers, and those with disabilities. In particular, they are identifying those without family or friends who are able to assist them. They recognize that those newly arrived at the camp also need help as they figure out how to survive. They need our help! Whether large or small, every donation helps as we empower refugee churches to care for those in greatest need.

The Goal

Our goal is simple. We will save lives by providing non-perishable food items to those most in need. As we do it in partnership with the refugee Church, we will strengthen their sense of agency and help them reflect the image of God to the people in Kakuma. People will see that God sees them, hears them, and cares for them. We aim to provide between $10,000 of emergency assistance in 2025. We hope to provide at least another $25,000 of emergency assistance in 2026. By partnering directly with the refugee Church, we know that the assistance will effectively and efficiently get to those most in need of it. Lives will be saved as we help them love their neighbors in this way. This is a powerful testimony of the love of Jesus Christ for the people in Kakuma who are crying out to God for help.

The Strategy

Our refugee church partner has formed a committee that meets with other community and faith leaders in the camp in order to identify those most in need of assistance. They then work together to distribute the assistance, making sure that all nationalities are represented among the beneficiaries. They distribute nonperishable food items (maize flour, beans, cooking oil, salt) directly to those in need. They submit a report to IAFR soon after each distribution. IAFR staff meets with project leadership and beneficiaries and to review bookkeeping during our visits to Kakuma (at least once annually). We also keep in regular contact with the project implementation team through WhatsApp.

Recipients of the emergency food distribution

Photo: Recipients of an IAFR sponsored food distribution in Kakuma refugee camp.

Progress

We made our first transfer of $5,000 to our refugee church partner in August 2025. They quickly converted it into food and implemented the first distribution. Over 2,000 vulnerable people received assistance. In December 2025, we sponsored a second emergency food distribution. Over 5,000 people received assistance. In February 2026, we sponsored a third distribution. Over 4,700 people were helped. We plan to sponsor another distribution in April 2026 and anticipate helping over 4,500 people.

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