Food rations cut in half in Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp

In Kakuma, Kenya, a humanitarian crisis continues to escalate as over 300,000 refugees face significant adversity due to recent food ration cuts. These cuts, which halved the already insufficient rations, have left many refugees surviving on as little as one meal a day or even fewer. For instance, one 59-year-old resident reported, "When we can’t find anyone to help us, we become sick... it’s just hunger and tell us to go back home," highlighting the severe desperation faced by individuals in the camp. These food rations include basic staples such as rice, lentils, and cooking oil, which have proven inadequate to meet the nutritional needs of the population. Additionally, the monthly cash transfers that allowed refugees to purchase supplemental protein and vegetables have been discontinued, further exacerbating the challenges they face in maintaining a balanced diet. As a consequence of this reduction in aid, a growing number of women and children are now vulnerable to malnutrition, leading to alarming hospital admission rates for malnourished children. Reports from the stabilization ward indicate an alarming increase in the number of children admitted due to severe malnutrition symptoms in recent months. The West Kenya NGO, World Food Program (WFP), which has been responsibly providing food assistance, hopes to receive further donations to sustain the food supply, yet they report that funding shortages may lead to even more severe cuts in the coming weeks. The local community is feeling the ramifications of the funding cuts beyond the refugee population, suggesting a broader impact on food security in the region. This crisis signals a desperate need for humanitarian intervention to alleviate the suffering of refugees and ensure food supply continuity in Kakuma.