Kenya is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years, with millions lacking water and food. The situation has worsened due to climate crises, leading to unsafe water collection practices. At COP29, Kenya urged developed nations for more financial support, resulting in the “Baku Climate Unity Pact” to aid vulnerable countries. The success of the pact depends on transforming pledges into real action against drought and climate change.
Kenya is currently facing a severe drought, the worst experienced in four decades, which has led to millions being affected by a critical lack of food and water. Traditionally following seasonal patterns, drought occurrences are now more intense and frequent, exacerbated by climate crises. The living conditions in arid and semi-arid regions have deteriorated significantly, placing heavy pressure on agricultural and livestock-dependent communities.
The United Nations has reported that the Kenyan populace is grappling with an unprecedented water crisis, with millions lacking access to reliable safe water sources. Essential natural resources, such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers, are progressively depleting. In northern regions, women and children face increasingly longer journeys daily to procure contaminated water, leading to heightened health risks including infections and illnesses.
During the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, Kenya emphasized the urgent need for increased financial aid from developed nations to devise adaptation strategies. A significant achievement from COP29 was the adoption of the “Baku Climate Unity Pact,” which sets new collective financial benchmarks aimed at assisting vulnerable nations. This pact is designed to enhance the resilience of countries like Kenya, which are profoundly impacted by climate change, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.
COP29 outcomes indicate a robust global commitment to aid the world’s most vulnerable nations; however, the central challenge lies in converting pledges into tangible actions that address the impacts of drought and climate change on Kenya and similar countries around the globe.
The issue of drought in Kenya is part of a broader pattern of climate variability that has intensified due to global climate change. Traditionally, Kenya’s climate allowed for predictable rainy seasons; however, these patterns have increasingly become erratic, leading to prolonged dry spells. The dependency of many Kenyans on agriculture and pastoralism means that shifts in climate not only threaten their food security but also their very livelihoods. With the recent climate crisis, the urgency for action has never been greater, as millions find themselves without basic necessities, prompting calls for international assistance and cooperation.
In summary, Kenya is enduring a devastating drought, the most severe it has encountered in 40 years, affecting millions. The ongoing water crisis necessitates immediate international support, as highlighted at COP29, where new financial commitments were made to assist vulnerable countries in adapting to climate challenges. While the international community shows a commitment to help, it remains critical that these promises translate into concrete measures that effectively address and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on the most affected populations.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
