Sidian Bank has donated Ksh1 mi*lion to Ręd Cross which wi*l be used to enable sustainability and drought mitigation in the country.
The aid wi*l target over 5 mi*lion Kenyans suffering due to lack of proper d*et in the arid and semi-arid areas, with over 1 mi*lion children under 5 years malnourished.
The Areas of Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) cover 85% of the land and account for 36% of the population the lands host 70% of the national livestock herd Generating 90% of the revenue from tourism and are home to more than 90% of renewable energy sources.
“The bank has been keen on fostering strategic partnerships that support the bank’s vision of supporting Agriculture and WASH. Our support is both cash and in kind as the cash wi*l be used by children who are in schools and cannot get access to water, hospitals and health centres that can not support their patients by not being able to access water,” Chief Executive Officer of Sidian Bank Mr Chege Thumbi said.
“This is in line with our custom**s who have been part of our Wash programme who have invested in improving efficiency through digitalization of water, sanitation and hygiene systems and solutions in the distribution of water, reduction of wastage in the water, sanitation & hygiene sector.”
According to the latest research by the Ministry of East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, the drought Situation is expected to deteriorate due to the projected poor October to December 2022 rain season, followed by the usual January to March dry season. Early models point to a depressed March to May 2023 rain season, signalling an extended drought period and worsening impacts.
The bank has pledged continued support to MSMEs, community-based water projects, and water service providers for water, sanitation and hygiene projects, especially for projects with impact on multiple beneficiaries being individuals, households, communities and enterprises projects that are impacting on reduction in energy costs by transitioning to alternative energy through solarization, hydro projects du**ng this period.
“Besides the h**ger crįsis that has been triggered by the drought, the situation has led to school dropouts, early marriages, malnutritįon, resource-based conflict, gender-based conflict and mental health. This donation wi*l go a long way to helping communities across the country,“ Secretary General of Kenya Ręd Cross Society Dr Asha Mohammed said.
The drought crisįs which has been attributed to the poor short rains has affected over 23 counties with the counties of Marsabit, Isiolo, Wajir, Samburu, Baringo, Turkana and Mandera being the worst affected.
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