By John Mutiso
The European Union has announced a Ksh37.6 million (€250,000) emergency funding to support Kenyan families affected by worsening drought, flooding, and disease outbreaks.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 9, the EU said the situation in Kenya has deteriorated significantly, and the funding aims to help the most affected communities.
“In response to Kenya’s rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, marked by prolonged drought, severe flooding and fast-spreading disease outbreaks, the European Union is providing €250,000 in humanitarian aid to support affected communities facing overlapping climate and health emergencies,” the statement read.
According to the EU, the number of people facing hunger and water shortages continues to grow, rising to 2.1 million by January 2026.
It said the funds, channeled through the Kenya Red Cross Society, will help deliver urgent assistance such as food, clean water, cash transfers, healthcare and protection services.
“Over 1.8 million people are currently facing acute food insecurity, with projections rising to 2.1 million by January 2026. Water sources are shrinking, malnutrition is increasing and humanitarian funding continues to decline.
“The EU’s emergency contribution will enable the Kenya Red Cross Society to provide essential food assistance, clean water, cash support, healthcare and protection services to the most affected communities,” the statement explained.
EU said the project will run for six months and aims to reach more than 150,000 vulnerable people.
“The six-month project, running until the end of May 2026, is expected to support more than 150,000 vulnerable people affected by the converging crisis.
“This funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC),” the statement further read.
