Garissa County – Action Aid partner to enhance community drought resilient 

Garissa County Government has partnered with Action Aid International to set up comprehensive model villages in Fafi, Gababa and Waso Plains. 

Pastoral communities will be supported to settle down and undertake mixed farming to cushion them from the adverse impacts of climate change.

Due to the prolonged drought in many arid areas, pastoralists have been displaced from their communities and forced to find alternative livelihoods.

Governor Nathif Jama on Tuesday hosted a delegation from ActionAid led by Ms. Sara Almer, the Humanitarian Director.

Governor said the county was looking at implementing programs which will offer long term solutions to the drought problem and put an end to emergency drought response and create food security.

“In these model villages, all essential amenities will be put up for the residents and they will be supported to grow food crops and fodder to raise livestock using a feed lot system,” said Mr. Jama. 

The Governor called on the leadership of the humanitarian agency on visit to the county on resilience fact finding mission to mobilize resources in collaboration with the county to set up the villages. He said program will be a game changer for the region.

The meeting also discussed ways ActionAid would partner with the county government to support vocational training in the county in order to empower youths with skills to help them make a living.

“I fear for our jobless youths who are like a time bomb slowly ticking away until that day they get misled and fall into the wrong path,”  said the head of the county. 

“We need to ensure we give them a chance at acquiring essential skills which will help them navigate the job market since formal education is not working for them,” he added.