MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that Australia will provide $1 million to Kenya for
emergency drought relief.
I was happy to be able to advise a visiting Kenyan Parliamentary Delegation
today that Australia will be providing emergency assistance.
Seasonal rainfalls in 1996 were well below average in the northern and
eastern provinces of Kenya, and have resulted in crop failure and deteriorated
pasture conditions. Fearing food shortages following the onset of severe
droughts in parts of the country, the Government of Kenya has appealed for
international assistance.
A recent assessment of the situation in Kenya by the World Food Programme
(WFP) and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations has found
that relief measures are needed urgently if a serious food crisis is to be
averted.
The Government of Kenya has recently declared a state of emergency and has
commenced relief operations.
Australia's contribution will be used to assist the expansion of the WFP's
school feeding and food for work projects in drought affected areas of
Kenya.
Media contact: David Alexander (Mr Thomson's
Office) 06 277 4665 Jane Castles (AusAID) 06 206 4968