Helping people survive hunger
Kakuma Emergency Assistance
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.
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 $50,000 and $75,000 of emergency assistance in 2025. We hope to provide at least another $75,000 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 religous 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 initially plan to distribute durable food items directly to those in need. They recognize that this may prove dangerous in a context in which everyone is hungry and may later choose to assist through cash assistance. Both methods of assistance are highly regarded among humanitarian agencies. A report will be submited to IAFR soon after each distribution. IAFR staff will visit at least once a year to meet with project leadership and beneficiaries and to review bookkeeping. We also keep in regular contact through WhatsApp.
The 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 on 22 August 2025. 338 families received assistance. We will soon receive full report and have a better idea of how many people benefited from this distribution. We will sponsor another distribution when funding is available.
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