In Kenya 35.6% of people live on less than £ 1.50 a day and 29% of children in rural areas are stunted from a population of 48.5 million.

Over one third of the population still lives under the international poverty line and social, economic and gender disparities remain.

Access to adequate quantities of nutritious food remains a challenge for many, especially in rural regions which make up 80 percent of the countrys land area. Factors include rapid population growth at a rate of 2.9 percent a year climate change, stagnating agricultural production and inefficient food systems. Food insecure families typically live in rural areas, are poor and depend on daily agricultural labour for income. Families headed by women are more likely to be food insecure than those headed by men.

Malnutrition remains unacceptably high, with 29 percent of children in rural areas and 20 percent of those living in cities stunted. Significant vitamin and mineral deficiencies are a severe public health problem and some 1.5 million people living with HIV have their nutrition status undermined by their condition.

Agriculture remains the main economic driver but is very vulnerable to climate shocks. Unpredictable rainfall and recurring droughts contribute to the disruption of crops 95 percent of which are rain-fed and the erosion of soils. Inefficiencies in food systems the networks that are needed to produce and transform food, and ensure it reaches consumers lead to high prices and insufficient market supplies, limiting the availability of, and access to, food.

Kenya hosts 500,000 refugees, mainly in camps in remote, food-insecure areas. Unable to work or move freely, refugees are highly dependent on international aid.

Mission Relief are on the ground distributing vital food packs to the most affected families living in rural areas. Please donate generously to this urgent cause.