In North Eastern parts of Kenya, an ongoing drought following three consecutive seasons of failed rains is worsening food insecurity situation. Domestic water access has declined and households have to trek long distances to and from the water sources.

Malnutrition cases are increasing, due to continued reduction in milk consumption. Livestock have died, or not able to produce milk, because of declining forage and water resources. This is compounded by reduced access to other food in the market, as prices of groceries have shot.

According to integrated phase classification for acute malnutrition, Marsabit county is at a level three crisis phase, meaning a high or above-usual level of acute malnutrition. This is projected to continue to September 2022 and would be an emergency without the programmed humanitarian assistance. Despite the prolonged drought crisis, the region has seen underinvestment in nutrition from the county and national government.

MSF has been responding since mid-March to improve the quality of the management of Acute Malnutrition cases by first training Health Care Workers (HCWs) on integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) and then strengthening the medical component of IMAM outreaches and improve the ITFC/SC ( Inpatient Therapeutic Feeding center/specialised care) service within Illeret Health Center.