The document summarizes the impacts of a severe 2011-2012 drought in northern Kenya and the response efforts of the ECHO La Nina consortium. Over 3.75 million Kenyans were affected by the drought, which was the worst since 1950. Rivers and wells dried up, pastures depleted, and livestock died off. Food prices increased and malnutrition rose by 60%. The ECHO La Nina consortium implemented cash-for-work programs, water projects, animal health support, and peacebuilding to help vulnerable communities in seven counties survive the drought and its aftermath. Beneficiaries provided testimony on how the interventions helped them rebuild their livelihoods through activities like small businesses and farming.

1. ECHO La Nina
Drought Response in the
Northern Arid Lands of
Kenya 2011-2012

2. ECHO La Nina at a Glance...
The 2011-2012 drought was the most severe for the Eastern Horn of Africa since 1950. About 3.75 million Kenyans were
affected with a majority being communities in the arid and semi arid areas. Rivers and shallow wells dried up, pasture
was depleted leading to communities losing most of their livestock. To make it worse, food prices skyrocketed leaving
communities especially in the arid and semi arid areas vulnerable. Malnutrition also increased by 60%.
With funding from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, the ECHO La Niña consortium partners
Oxfam, ACTED, VSF Suisse, VSF Germany and VSF Belgium have intervened to offer food security and livelihood protection
through among others: Cash for work support to the communities, water supply to increase survival rates of both livestock
and people, supported animal health initiatives and destocking to minimise losses, peace initiatives and livelihoods
protection.
The project is implemented in Wajir, Turkana, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Garissa and West Pokot, Baringo and Samburu
counties.
Photos: Jane Beesley and ECHO La Niña consortium partners
Design & Printing: George Bensons Ltd
Editor: Polycarp Otieno Onyango

3. “The drought left me with nothing but goat skins, nine of them. However, the cash for work program
gave us money to buy food. I go to work in the cash for work projects every day except weekends
and we work for about four hours a day. I used the remaining money to stock this shop. In addition to
those I have bought two goats, one I named after the organization giving us the cash.”
Pamela Ataa, Kaeris Turkana
Cash for work
1 2

4. 3 4

5. 5 6

6. 7 8

7. 9 10

8. “The money I received from the cash for work helped my family survive the drought. With the remainder
of the money I started this table shop where I now sell basic house items like sugar, soap and cooking
ingredients. Were it not for the money and this table shop I would have had to sell my five goats to
survive. Moreover four of the five goats have all calved and our flock has doubled!”
Dahaba Mohamed Ali, Jayjay Wajir East.
11 12

9. 13 14

10. 15 16

11. 17 18

12. 19 20

13. “Before the drought I was a rich man, but I lost 30 donkey and several cows during the drought.
The drought was very severe. If no one had intervened many of us would have died by now. I am
experienced with livestock so I’m hoping to buy goats and start all over again.”
Nakalale Nanok, Nanam Turkana West
Animal Health and Destocking
21 22

14. 23 24

15. 25 26

16. 27 28

17. 29 30

18. 31 32

19. Peace & livelihood support
“Before I used to herd goats, but our goats were wiped out by drought. The money helped me buy food
for my family. I also used part of the money to begin a business of building materials. I sometimes feel
that it is better the goats died. This is because even when I had the goats life was difficult, but today
thanks to my new business of selling traditional building materials life is much better. I now make
about 3,000ksh a month. “
Hindia Derije Wajir central
33 34

20. 35 36

21. 37 38

22. 39 40

23. ‘I live on the other side of the valley where we now have a water channel constructed from the project
(ECHO La Nina). I’m benefitting a lot since I can grow vegetables tomatoes, onions, sugarcane and
pawpaws. Some of these I use at home while others I sell in town. This water has helped my family and
me a lot. We now do farming and have access to food throughout the year.”
Margaret Lokorinyang, Wakor West Pokot
Water supply
41 42

24. 43 44

25. 45 46

26. “I am happy with this project (of rehabilitation of irrigation channel) because we will soon get
water to our land and we will be able to plant. For me I would like to start a business of growing
and selling some cash crops so that I can feed my family.”
Margaret Nasike, Naoyeregae Turkana South
47 48

27. 49 5o

28. 51 52