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Carrefour, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Kenya, has distributed 8,000 bags of relief food to drought-affected families in Lenkism Ward, Kajiado South under the ‘Save a Life’ Campaign.
The initiative, which is organised in partnership with the Kenya Red Cross and Capwell Industries, saw 4,000 families each receive 2 bags of food aid containing 10 kilograms of daily essential items including maize meal flour, rice and ndengu.
Franck Moreau, Regional Director – East Africa, Majid Al Futtaim, noted: “The donations are a show of our commitment to provide much-needed aid to families dealing with famine due to the ongoing drought in the country. We recognise and appreciate the goodwill of our customers, who turned out in numbers to support the initiative through their generous donations.”
The distribution follows a two-month long exercise in all Carrefour stores in the country raising almost KES 5 million worth of donations. During the food donation drive, customers were encouraged to buy and donate a food hamper at the subsidised price of KES 599, with Carrefour and Capwell Industries covering the difference to make them more affordable for Kenyans who wished to donate. Additionally, Carrefour donated one more bag for every 10 bags sold.
Kajiado is one of the nine arid and semi-arid (ASAL) counties in the alarm drought phase with thousands of households in need of food aid for survival. Other counties in the alarm phase include Kilifi, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Isiolo, and Kitui while 13 others are in the alert drought phase including Garissa, Lamu, Narok, Tana River, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Taita Taveta, West Pokot, Nyeri and Kwale.
“The drought situation remains critical in 22 of the 23 ASAL counties due to the late onset and poor performance of the much-anticipated October to December 2022 short rains, coupled with four previous consecutive failed rain seasons. Lack of water, inaccessibility of health and nutrition services and loss of livestock have exacerbated food insecurity in the country. We appeal to well-wishers to continue supporting the ‘Save a Life’ initiative through cash donations via M-Pesa Paybill:10000 Account No.: Drought,” said Dr. Asha Mohammed, Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society.
According to the National Drought Management Authority, over 4.35 million Kenyans have been affected by drought and require relief assistance. Additionally, over 1 million children and 150,000 pregnant and lactating mothers are malnourished, and families have lost over 70% of their livestock to the drought.
As an integral pillar of the community, Carrefour operates 19 stores countrywide and an online e-commerce platform under MAF Carrefour App.