Dear Partners, Friends, and Supporters of Development and Empowerment of Society,
Warm greetings from Kakuma Refugee Camp. Best wishes to you all for peace, prosperity and health in this new year.
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to volunteers’ financial motivation, as they helped them a lot and encouraged them to continue working this January.
We thank God that Damanhur Education, Vigyan Ashram and the Devrai Foundation agreed to have a formal partnership with DES this January. They will support project implementation, provide mentorship, and help with institutional strengthening.
As 2026 begins, we still face lack of funding and water scarcity, but continue to apply to various humanitarian and aid organization in hopes of finding solid financing. Lately, our food security is threatened because of draught. Here is an outline of the situation.
WATER SCARCITY DRIES VEGETABLES IN KAKUMA
For more than a week and a half now, we have experienced serious water scarcity, and the effects are now clearly visible in home gardens and small vegetable farms across the camp.
Greens are drying up due to the prolonged lack of water. Many households who depend on small-scale farming for food and income are facing losses, as plants wilt, turn yellow, and eventually die without regular irrigation.
IMPACT ON FOOD SECURITY
Vegetable gardens play a critical role in supplementing food rations, improving nutrition, and supporting livelihoods in Kakuma. The current water shortage has:
- Reduced household access to fresh vegetables
- Increased reliance on market vegetables, which are becoming more expensive.
- Affected vulnerable groups, especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
- Families are forced to choose between domestic water use and watering crops.
- Community gardens and tree-planting initiatives are under threat.
- Soil moisture has dropped significantly under high temperatures.
Food-forest farmers report losing entire garden beds after days without water, despite efforts to carry 40 litres of water on their heads from 5 kilometres away, rationing the little water available for drinking and cooking.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Your contribution can help us improve and obtain a consistent water supply. Help us dig a well, find a solar pump machine and pipes to facilitate regular water irrigation. Emergency water support for community gardens would protect families’ access to food and promote water-saving farming techniques such as mulching and drip irrigation.
Despite these challenges, the resilience of the Kakuma community remains strong. With timely intervention, sustainable water solutions, and support for climate-smart agriculture, vegetable production can recover and continue to support nutrition and livelihoods.
Water is life, for people, crops, and the future of Kakuma.
You can support us by:
- Donating monthly or making a one-time contribution;
- Supporting operational costs;
- Connecting us with partners or funders.
Please give what you can. Every contribution counts!
With thanks and very best regards,
Kadjosi Matabishi Mzaliwa
Chairman
Development and Empowerment of Society (DES)
