[July 19, 2011] Famine Situation in East Pokot, Marigat Worsens Tweet Jul 19, 2011 (Nairobi Star/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- The number of people depending on relief food in East Pokot district has tripled in the last three months as drought continues to ravage swathes of the North Rift Valley. DC Amos Mariba said about 66,000 people rely on relief food up from 26,300 who were reliant on aid in March. According to a survey conducted by the National Food Security Steering committee the number is expected to go even higher as the rains have failed and farmers are anticipating little or no harvest. Mariba said traditionally farming areas in the district such as Tangulbei and Chulo which recorded big harvests last year have had very little rainfall since May and will not produce enough food to feed the district's population. He said all schools in the district are currently benefitting from the school feeding programme as children don't have enough food in their homes. Initial government expectations had indicated that East Pokot would be self reliant in six months but the DC said the government will continue providing relief food in the area for the next year as they monitor the situation. At the same time, 70 per cent of the population in Marigat district is still receiving relief food even after the onset of the long rains in April. Marigat DC Saul Moywaywa said the district recorded relatively low rains and pasture is still scarce. He said it will take close to a month before residents, most of whom are pastoralists, to get enough pasture for their livestock. He said only 10 per cent of the district is fertile and suitable for growing food while the rest is arid. Farmers within the fertile area, mainly within Muchongoi division, are expected to start harvesting maize between August and October. The relief food is being provided by World Vision which is the area's World Food Programme lead agent, and the government. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]