§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of levels of food security in north-west Kenya; and if she will make a statement. [88079]
§ Clare ShortFollowing several years of poor rains and drought, the food security situation in north-west Kenya remains precarious. But heavy rainfall is now bringing both immediate respite and better prospects for significant improvements in the availability of water, pasture and browse. For the first time in two years, recovery is now a real possibility. DFID continues to monitor the situation in close collaboration with the Government of Kenya, the UN, NGO's and other donors.
Since 1999, DFID has spent over £18 million on drought-related assistance to Kenya. Most of this has been targeted on the north of the country.