The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has donated 30,000 kilograms of dates to Kenya as part of a humanitarian initiative to support families struggling with the ongoing drought across the country.
The consignment was officially handed over at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on February 17, as stated by the Kenya Red Cross in a ceremony led by Mr. Osama Abuseem Alali, Head of Consular Affairs and National Services, who represented H.E. Dr. Salim Ibrahim AlNaqbi, the UAE Ambassador to Kenya.
The donation was received by Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, alongside Kenya Red Cross Secretary General, Dr. Ahmed Idris, both of whom expressed gratitude for the UAE’s timely support.
UAE Aid Reaches Communities in Need
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the donation arrives at a crucial moment, as communities in drought-affected areas continue to face food shortages and hardships due to prolonged dry weather.
The 30,000 kg of dates are expected to provide essential relief to thousands of vulnerable families, especially as the holy month of Ramadhan approaches, when food support becomes even more important for fasting households.
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“The donation comes at a critical time as communities face the effects of prolonged drought and prepare for the holy month of Ramadhan,” the Kenya Red Cross said in its statement.
The organization will oversee distribution to ensure the dates reach the most affected and hardest‑hit regions.
Millions Affected by Worsening Drought in Kenya
Kenya is currently experiencing one of its most severe droughts in decades, with more than two million people facing hunger due to long-lasting dry conditions. Several counties in the arid and semi-arid regions have been impacted the most.
Mandera County has reached “alarm” drought status, reporting extreme water shortages, livestock deaths, and rising cases of child malnutrition.
In Turkana County, families are grappling with extreme hunger and scarce water as livestock, the backbone of local livelihood, continue to perish.
Similar challenges are affecting other ASAL counties, where repeated failed rainy seasons have worsened food insecurity and increased community vulnerability.
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The Horn of Africa has experienced four consecutive failed wet seasons, making this drought among the driest on record since 1981.
As a result, malnutrition cases are rising, water sources are diminishing, and households across the region face escalating risk as the drought continues to affect both people and livestock.
UAE’s Continued Humanitarian Presence in Kenya
In previous humanitarian actions, the UAE partnered with the Kenya Red Cross to deliver food and non‑food relief items to 50,000 households affected by floods in counties such as Kisumu, Garissa, Busia, Tana River, and Homa Bay.
The UAE has also provided major emergency aid in past disasters, including the deployment of 200 tonnes of essential relief supplies ranging from food items to medical equipment following severe flooding in Kenya.
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