How we’re supporting communities in Somalia, Kenya ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌







Dear friend,

Over the past year, I traveled and took photographs in Somalia and Kenya to document our work helping communities through the worst drought in 40 years. Watch the Horn of Africa section of my recent YouTube travelogue video to learn more about the stories behind the photos below.
Watch the video ▸
In late March, rain finally arrived in the region, but only caused further devastation. Flash flooding destroyed or damaged the shelters of nearly 100,000 people, claimed over 20 lives, and washed away crops and livestock.

When I saw these latest tragic headlines, I was reminded of the incredible resilience of these communities and the life-changing work of our teams and partners. Below is a look at some of the ways we’re supporting communities in Somalia and Kenya through this ongoing drought crisis.
   
   
     
Baidoa, Somalia
 
At a displacement camp outside of Baidoa, women lined up to fill jerry cans with the clean water supplied by Mercy Corps. Many had traveled for days and hundreds of kilometers seeking water, food, and shelter. Mercy Corps is also providing families with food, hygiene kits, and cash assistance.
 
Read about our CEO’s trip to Somalia ▸
 
   
   
     
Mogadishu, Somalia
 
As part of our emergency drought response in Somalia, Mercy Corps rehabilitated a transitional school at a displacement camp on the outskirts of Mogadishu. Children living in the camp attend the school until their families can enroll them in a more permanent school. We provided desks, books, and other supplies, stipends for teachers, and water and sanitation facilities for students.
 
Learn the facts about the severe drought in the Horn of Africa ▸
 
   
   
     
Kaloboru, Kenya
 
In Kenya, Mercy Corps is part of a consortium of partners supporting a health clinic in Kaloboru. Community health workers provide education, medical services like immunizations for children, and offer maternal and post-natal care for women.

This photo shows Elizabeth and her three children, including her baby daughter, who suffered from severe malnourishment. They received medical treatment at the clinic.
 
Read more about the drought in Kenya ▸
 
Since the beginning of the drought in 2021, Mercy Corps has delivered crucial humanitarian assistance to almost 600,000 drought-affected people.

Supporters like you help make our lifesaving work in Somalia, Kenya, and 40+ countries possible. As the region faces worsening conditions, Mercy Corps will continue to be there to help communities make it through this crisis and make progress toward a brighter future.

Thank you,

Ezra Millstein Ezra Millstein
Mercy Corps Senior Global Photographer

Ezra is a passionate photographer and filmmaker who is dedicated to sharing the stories of people impacted by Mercy Corps programs around the world. His colorful images have been described as the palette of our organization, and his visual storytelling is at the heart of our work.