Hollywood star Priyanka Chopra says 1.4M Kenyan children on the brink of starvation
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Priyanka, who wears many hats, is in the country on behalf of UNICEF; she visited northern Kenya last week to meet children suffering from severe acute malnutrition as a result of the Horn of Africa's prolonged drought.
Chopra Jonas, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, traveled to Turkana County, one of 15 drought-affected counties in Kenya as a result of climate change and the ongoing effects of COVID-19, where nearly one in every three children suffers from acute malnutrition.
"Children are starving to death and millions are on the brink of starvation. This is the face of the climate crisis, and here in Kenya it’s happening right now," Ms Chopra captioned several photos on Instagram.
"There is hope and there are solutions. Over the next few days I’ll be showing @unicef’s immense efforts happening on the ground to save lives. BUT in order to reverse this unprecedented crisis, money is desperately needed to ensure the good work continues,"
In Kenya, the last four failed rainy seasons have resulted in 1.4 million children having less access to nutritious food, safe drinking water, health services, education, and protection from violence and neglect.
A fifth poor rainy season is expected to exacerbate the situation, resulting in more children and families in need of humanitarian assistance.
In response to the devastating drought in the Horn of Africa, UNICEF is expanding nutrition services and distributing therapeutic milk and ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to health centers, as well as assisting governments in identifying and treating malnourished children in the most difficult-to-reach areas.
Chopra Jonas met two-year-old Keeza at the Lodwar Referral Hospital's pediatric stabilization center in Lodwar Town, where children in critical condition are admitted for specialized treatment.
Keeza, who was admitted with severe malnutrition and was unable to fight disease due to a weakened immune system, contracted malaria, pneumonia, and oedema.
Across the Horn of Africa, UNICEF is distributing emergency wash kits to drought-stricken families, allowing them to treat water at home, as well as rehabilitating and upgrading non-functional boreholes in strategic locations such as villages, schools, and health facilities.
Vulnerable families also receive cash transfers to help with health-care costs and to keep children from marrying too young or dropping out of school.
The humanitarian organization is requesting urgent financial assistance for the Horn of Africa drought response from governments, the private sector, and individuals.
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