Meet Kaltuma Derrow, a mother of nine and a resident of Teso Ramo village in Mandera West. Her story is one of survival in the face of devastating loss—and the fragile hope that comes with timely support.
For years, Kaltuma depended on her livestock for survival, like many families in her community. But when the drought struck, it showed no mercy. One by one, her animals died, wiping out her only source of income. Almost overnight, her family was left with nothing.
Life quickly became unbearable.
With no food and no income, her children began to suffer. Her two-year-old son became severely malnourished and was enrolled in a nutrition program supported by Save the Children, where they received Plumpy’Nut as part of life-saving treatment. It was during this difficult period that Kaltuma was identified as highly vulnerable and qualified for emergency cash support.
“Life was unbearable. Some days we had one meal, and sometimes none at all. Everything became so difficult because of the drought,” Kaltuma recalls.
In response to the growing crisis, GENCAD, in partnership with Save the Children and with funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), rolled out a cash transfer program targeting 1,900 vulnerable households across Mandera West and Kilwehiri in Banisa Constituency. The initiative focused on families most affected by recurring drought and economic hardship—including women-headed households, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities.
Each household received KES 7,000 per month for two months, providing immediate relief to families struggling to meet basic needs.
For Kaltuma, this support came at the most critical time.
The cash transfer allowed her to buy food for her children, restoring a sense of stability in her home. For the first time in months, she could provide regular meals and see her children regain strength.
“At least now, I can sleep without worrying about where my children’s next meal will come from. This support has really helped us,” she says with visible relief.
While the clouds have begun to gather over Mandera West, signaling the possibility of April rains, uncertainty still lingers. For many families like Kaltuma’s, the fear of hunger has not fully disappeared. But for now, the cash transfer has given them something they had almost lost—hope, dignity, and a chance to breathe again.