Improving Community Resilience in Kenya's Climate Sensitive Lands

This project aims to strengthen the resilience of about 700 000 people living on the most ecologically fragile lands in Kenya particularly the most vulnerable women and young people. The World Food Program (WFP) works to strengthen the capacity of communities to improve their agricultural production and access new markets including through land rehabilitation for longer-term harvesting and improved water management. This enables them to increase their food security and reduce hunger in an arid region where a drought often follows the harvest season. Microinsurance products for smallholder farmers a key risk management mechanism and a way to put farmers on a path of resilience are to be developed. The project also aims to better equip county governments (where agriculture is a deconcentrated function) to better serve small farmers and to re-direct public funds towards rural development and resilience.

The expected results for this project include: (1) enhanced livelihoods and vulnerable communities’ resilience to shocks particularly women and youth living in Kenya’s drought-prone climate sensitive lands; and (2) strengthened government management including at the county level of drought resilience programs and activities.