Turkana County in northern Kenya is facing a devastating drought. Failed rains, dry riverbeds, and livestock losses have pushed families to the brink. Food is scarce, water is miles away, and parents are doing everything possible to keep their children alive.
As the crisis deepened, International Relief Teams and our partners launched the Turkana Emergency Food Relief Program to reach 20 of the hardest-hit villages.
Local teams quickly identified those most at risk—single mothers, the elderly, and families caring for small children and people with disabilities. Despite extreme heat, security risks, fuel shortages, and difficult terrain, trained volunteers delivered 107,475 pounds of fortified rice blend to 58,500 people in 20 villages.
“We had gone two days without anything when the distribution happened at night. I saw people preparing hot meals, and I couldn’t believe it. My hands trembled when I received that food. I gave the first plate to the youngest, who had been crying nonstop. That moment brought peace into my hut..”
— Nasinyono, 63
Volunteers also prepared hot meals for pregnant women, mothers with young children, and the elderly. In many homes, it was the first meal families had eaten in days.
“When the aid workers came, my youngest child was too weak to cry. The rice they gave us saved his life. I boiled it right away and fed him slowly through the night. By morning, his eyes had opened wider. I don’t have words to express what that meant. In this drought, we had no help, no hope — until they came”
— Achukule, 30
These meals offered more than nutrition. They brought peace, relief, and renewed strength when families needed it most.
While the Turkana Emergency Food Relief Program provided immediate, life-saving aid, the need in the region remains urgent. By relying on local volunteers to deliver food, the program strengthened trust between communities and those providing help, ensuring families could rely on support when it mattered most.
With continued donor support, this trust becomes the foundation for ongoing assistance. Every contribution allows us to reach more families, provide consistent nutrition, and respond quickly to the next wave of hunger in Turkana — turning urgent relief into sustained hope for those still struggling.
Families in Turkana are still fighting to survive. Your gift provides life-saving food right now and helps communities build a stronger tomorrow.