Nearly a million refugees in Kenya could soon plunge into hunger and suffering following massive cuts in funding to the UN World Food Program (WFP).

In an update on Thursday, May 22, WFP announced that it is in urgent need of up to $44 million to continue with cash assistance to roughly 720,000 refugees under its care.

According to WFP, without the provision of the $44 million by August, the agency projects that all cash transfers will be stopped immediately. Additionally, refugees’ food rations will be slashed to about 28 percent of their daily needs by June.

Bai Mankay Sankoh, WFP's Deputy Country Director in Kenya, stated that the agency's operations supporting refugees in the country are facing a huge strain.

"Less support will force refugees to make heartbreaking choices -- parting with essential belongings, withdrawing children from school, or even a return to home countries despite the dangers," Sankoh said. "Food assistance is a vital safety net, and we remain committed to doing all we can to support refugees who are trying to rebuild their lives in safety."

Since 2020, the number of refugees and people seeking asylum in Kenya has increased by over 70 percent to approximately 843,000, attributable to rising resource conflict and climate shocks in neighbouring countries.

The biggest number of refugees in Kenya comes from South Sudan and Somalia, WFP stated.

 

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