HIGHLIGHTS
• UNICEF, in partnership with WVI & MOSD, carried out a Child Protection Rapid Assessment. Key issues that emerged from the assessment were: separation of children from families due to labor in and out of the country, sexual and physical abuse of both girls and boys and cases of child marriage.
• UNICEF continues to carry out media activities to raise awareness on the impact that the drought is having on children. A special publication on Child Protection was presented in the local media and radio to heighten local awareness/sensitization on the issue.
• UNICEF delivered 21 cartons of therapeutic food to health facilities across the country for the treatment of 1,400 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. In addition, UNICEF delivered 10 cartons (14,000 tablets per carton) of water purifying tablets benefiting close to 1,000 children.
• Ten delivery kits to support 500 deliveries were distributed by UNICEF to the most affected regions of the country, with addition support provided by UNFPA.
SITUATION IN NUMBERS
Date: 31st March 2016
310,015 Children Affected (Rapid Drought Impact Assessment – Feb 2016)
64,141 Children U5 Affected (Rapid Drought Impact Assessment – Feb 2016)
69,000 Children in need of social safety nets (Rapid Drought Impact Assessment – Feb 2016)
534,508 People at risk of food insecurity up to June 2016 (Rapid Drought Impact Assessment – Feb 2016)
725,000+ Likely to be affected by June 2016 (Rapid Drought Impact Assessment – Feb 2016)
UNICEF Appeal 2016
US $9,134,029
Funding Gap
100%
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
UNICEF and partners conducted a market assessment survey and found that prices of staple food are increasing which may lead to an increase in the number of vulnerable people in the country. The survey estimated that out of 63 councils surveyed, 28 (44%) are in need of cash transfers in order to reach their food consumption needs, 26 (41%) are in need of food vouchers, 1 is in need of both cash transfer and food vouchers and 9 (14%) are in need of Food In-Kind to meet their daily food needs.
The rains commenced in February and are predicted to continue until Mid – April. However the consensus is that the short rains will not be sufficient to relieve the negative effects from the prolonged drought conditions.
UNICEF is urgently following up a reported cases of bloody diarrhea (dysentery). UNICEF is working with partners to confirm these cases by lab tests, which should be completed shortly. In addition, UNICEF is working with partners and the MoH to conduct a countrywide yellow fever vaccination campaign.