Mandera Woman Rep issues Ksh.1M grant to support traders affected by floods

County Woman Representative Umur Ker Kassim on Tuesday reached out to small-scale businesses operated by fodder seller groups, issuing them with a Ksh.1 million grant.

Mandera Woman Rep Ummul Kheir Kassim emphasized the importance of women's empowerment through entrepreneurship and pledged to persist in her support until the end of her term.

"We have targeted 50 women each getting 20,000. This is the lowest level that has ever been helped. Beneficiaries usually used to come from the middle level but I have been deliberate in my efforts to ensure that the most vulnerable are targeted by our office," she said.

The local community, including organizations like the Kenya Red Cross Society represented by Mustafa Adan, expressed their gratitude, acknowledging the timely and impactful nature of this initiative.

"This support is very timely. We are currently experiencing heavy rains that have really affected those selling livestock feeds. So this grant will greatly support the women dealing in this trade," said Adan.

Since the short rainy season began, the North Eastern region has been hardest hit, with some areas entirely cut off by flood waters. 

El Wak town in Mandera whose name translates to "the wells of God" is home to roughly over 60,000 people who have to look for alternative shelter after it was completely submerged. 

Other affected areas are Diff and Buna in Wajir county, as well as the Ifo refugee camp in Dadaab completely immersed in flood waters frustrating any attempts to get much-needed aid to residents.

The situation now has disaster management officials worried about what’s to come should the rains persist.