The drought feels neverending, but we have hope for the future ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌







Dear friend,

There is no end in sight to the drought afflicting the Horn of Africa region, where at least 18.4 million people — including 10 million children — are facing severe food shortages and require urgent humanitarian aid. The food crisis here has accelerated with rising food prices due to the war in Ukraine and people are in desperate need of lifesaving aid.

I was born in Kenya, where the drought is affecting over 80% of the country. Now as a member of the Mercy Corps team, I’m working with people in the Samburu region where I was raised. From my ties to the local community, I deeply understand the challenges we’re facing as well as the resilience of the people here.

This is why, although I am heartbroken for the people of Kenya, I am also filled with hope.

Part of my role at Mercy Corps is providing cash assistance for women, helping them create income-generating activities or start savings groups. Cash assistance supports people in an efficient, sustainable, and dignified way. It allows people to make their own decisions about what they need and when, bridging the gap between short-term aid and long-term recovery.
Nareu Letwambalives in the Samburu region with her mother and three children. Every morning, she walks 8 kilometers to fetch water. Nareu received cash assistance from Mercy Corps, and has bought materials to build her own home.
In Kenya, Mercy Corps is providing cash assistance to enable 2,700 drought-affected families to meet their basic needs including food and water.

We are also providing increased access to water supply through borehole repairs, installation of water vending machines, cleaning of waterholes, and more.
Kompoi Leakono is a community leader in Samburu, where she guides women in a traditional water ceremony to pray for an end to droughts.
I recently participated in a water ceremony at a local reservoir where, for hours, women prayed, sang, and splashed milk in the air as they raised their voices to the sky. I could feel their power and strength in my heart as I joined in. For a moment, I had forgotten that I was there for work, and I was enveloped by the passion of the songs we sang together. The drought has affected each person differently, while the impact is felt widely by all.
Florence, at the center, joined the women from surrounding villages in a ceremony praying for rain in Kenya.
Mercy Corps not only provides immediate relief through cash and water distribution — we address the root issues exacerbating the effects of the drought.

We’re working closely with community leaders to promote peace and resolve conflicts about how resources such as grazing land and water sources are shared. We’re also investing in the long-term welfare of women and girls by improving access to education, agricultural skills for farmers, and financial literacy for small business owners so that a better future awaits beyond this crisis.

As a member of our community, we know you’re willing to do what it takes to support families facing crisis build toward a stronger future.

With your support, Mercy Corps will continue to develop innovative solutions that help people build a better life.
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Thank you again for helping families in Kenya and in 40+ countries around the world who are facing and overcoming severe crises. Together, we’re making a real difference.

Sincerely,

Florence Nasieku Lesoloyia Florence Nasieku Lesoloyia
Sr. Private Sector Engagement & Financial Inclusion Officer


P.S. Please click here to read more about my experience working in my home country and how we’re helping families through this crisis.