The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) are today warning that vital food assistance to refugees in Cameroon’s Far North, Adamawa, East and North regions is at risk of grinding to a halt due to funding shortfalls.

Funding shortfalls had already forced WFP to cut rations for refugees to 50 percent in the Far North, Adamawa, East and North regions of Cameroon and to distribute incomplete food baskets since end 2023, missing some items such as pulses, vegetable oil and salt. These measures are already exposing the refugee communities to higher vulnerability and limiting their access to diverse and nutritious meals.  

““Without immediate support we will have no option but to further cut the already meagre portions on refugees’ plates, with all the devastating impacts this will bring including rising malnutrition and hunger, exposure to protection risks and families resorting to desperate strategies to cope, including pulling children out of school and eating less food – affecting especially women and children,” said Wanja Kaaria, WFP Representative and Country Director in Cameroon.

“We are grateful for generous donor funding in Cameroon and we are hopeful that donors will step up and help address our funding gaps, helping us to avoid further cuts to those who have already lost everything due to conflict, violence and natural disasters,” she added.

WFP requires US$ 23.1 million to assist to over 222,000 refugees from Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR) currently hosted in Cameroon, funding that will ensure the life-saving humanitarian assistance can continue through December 2024.

Most refugee families rely on WFP food assistance to survive. WFP food assistance has already been re-prioritized to the focus on the most vulnerable people, of whom the majority are women, female-headed households, elderly persons, persons with disability, and unaccompanied children.

“The food ration cut is a forecast of the escalating protection crises in Cameroon which is now affecting the most basic human right of the forcibly displaced people in the country – the right to food. We are deeply concerned that further ration cuts may disrupt the existing social cohesion as we received reports of the outcry of the refugee communities.  Thus, we appeal to donor governments to support refugees in accessing the much-needed food and remain healthy,” said UNHCR Representative to Cameroon, Olivier Guillaume Beer.

For over a decade, Cameroon has faced three complex, intertwined, and protracted humanitarian crises that have remained largely underfunded. As of December 2023, 4.7 million people needed humanitarian assistance, with over two million on the move as refugees, internally displaced people and returnees.

Food insecurity in the country affects 2.5 million people, according to the November 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis. These figures represent some of the highest rates of food insecurity recorded in the country, affecting refugees, internally displaced people and host communities, with nearly 75 percent of the severely food insecure people located in crisis-affected regions.

Alarming rates of acute malnutrition and stunting in children under 5 are also reported among refugee communities. Wasting rates vary between 10 percent among those living outside of camps in the North and 17.4 percent in the Adamawa and East campsites, above the emergency thresholds of 10 and 15 percent (SMART/SENS, 2022).

But the US$ 371.4 million humanitarian response plan for 2024 is only 5 percent funded as of February 2024. The situation was no better in 2023 when the plan was only 28 percent funded.

While the Government of Cameroon is making every effort to address the humanitarian situation, there is an urgent need for additional support to meet the immediate food and nutrition needs of crisis-affected families in Cameroon.

WFP and UNHCR remain committed to working with the government, donors and partners to continue providing food and nutrition assistance to vulnerable communities including refugees and internally displaced persons, helping them meet their basic needs, and rebuild their lives and livelihoods through longer term solutions to achieve self-reliance.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Food Programme (WFP).

The livestock sector is a significant contributor to Kenya’s GDP, employing over 50% of the agricultural labour force. The Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) Project aims to address challenges in Africa’s Feed and Fodder sector by strengthening stakeholders. Despite the potential for the livestock sector to contribute to economic growth, job creation, and food security, it remains largely untapped. In Kenya, the livestock market faces various challenges, leading to substantial economic losses. Market failures has led to inadequate storage and transportation infrastructure, limited market access for smallholder farmers, and inefficient distribution systems.

To overcome these challenges, investments are needed in storage facilities, logistics, and transportation networks. Empowering small-scale farmers through capacity building, market linkages, and access to finance can enhance their resilience and competitiveness. Collaboration among government agencies, private sector entities, and civil society organizations is crucial.

The lack of a centralized platform by sector players continues to hinder efforts to address these challenges. In view of this, Kenya has established a Multistakeholder Platform (MSP) to facilitate collaboration and address the sector’s obstacles. The Kenya Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) was officially launched by Halima Nenkare, the Director of Livestock Production in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. The MSP aims to foster coordination in the value chain and address challenges faced by the livestock sector. This platform will play a crucial role in enhancing collaboration.

During the launch, Ms. Nenkare announced the government’s plan to establish a Center of Excellence in Feed Technology Training, which will provide training opportunities for stakeholders. Several measures, including the finalization of the Livestock Bill, regulation of feeds, and implementation of the Feed Industry Development Strategy, are being undertaken to support these efforts. However, the success of these interventions relies heavily on collaboration among key stakeholders.

“The government intends to establish a modern Feed Resource Center equipped with advanced laboratories to ensure the safety and integrity of animal feeds. Strict quality control measures will be implemented to protect the health and well-being of livestock. The government is committed to providing necessary inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and machinery to facilitate efficient feed production. Moreover, efforts will be made to promote irrigation technology to reduce dependence on rainfall. Contractual agreements between millers and producers will guarantee a steady supply of inputs,” stated Ms. Nenkare.

To support the conservation and storage of forage, strategic feed storage facilities will be established at the ward level. These facilities will function as feed business centers, ensuring year-round availability of feed for livestock farmers. Given that feed costs account for a significant portion of livestock production expenses, it is crucial to address feed shortages and post-harvest losses. Recent assessments have revealed that Kenya experiences a 60% feed shortage and a 46% post-harvest loss, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.

The government is committed to providing seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and machinery to enhance feed production efficiency. Additionally, they will promote irrigation technology and establish agreements between millers and producers to guarantee a consistent supply of high-quality feed. Focus will also be placed on conserving and storing forage while establishing strategic feed storage facilities at the ward level. These facilities will serve as distribution centers, ensuring that livestock farmers have access to quality feed throughout the year. 

Recognizing the importance of human capital in the feed industry’s advancement, the government will invest in capacity-building programs for stakeholders in the feed value chain. To facilitate informed decision-making and resource allocation, the government is committed to improving data availability and accessibility through quarterly National Feed Outlook Surveys. These surveys will provide insights into feed demand, supply, and consumption patterns.

The government is actively working on legislative and regulatory reforms to create a supportive environment for the feed industry. Initiatives like the Livestock Bill, feed regulation, and the Feed Industry Development Strategy are underway to establish a robust legal framework. However, the success of these initiatives depends on collaboration and partnership among stakeholders. The establishment of the Feed and Fodder Multi-Stakeholder Platform by the RAFFS project is a significant step towards fostering synergy, coordination, and knowledge exchange in the feed industry.

Traditionally, the focus in livestock financing has been on the downstream segments of the value chain, neglecting the importance of upstream actors like fodder growers. However, recent events, such as the devastating drought in Kenya, have highlighted the consequences of this oversight. The closure of 22 milk processors, resulting in bad loans for banks and a fodder shortage for farmers, clearly demonstrates the significant risk posed by the lack of balanced financing for the entire livestock industry.

George Macharia, General Manager of Food&Agriculture at Equity Bank, emphasizes the need to strengthen upstream financing and enhance the resilience of the entire livestock ecosystem. From the lenders’ perspective, several key considerations must be taken into account: having a clear business case that includes upstream activities like fodder production is crucial to attract funding. The value proposition must be well-defined and articulated.

Upstream financing should also incorporate strong and straightforward risk management strategies. This involves assessing and mitigating the inherent risks associated with fodder cultivation. Financial institutions often seek businesses with sufficient capitalization and proven revenue-generating capabilities.

“Investments in fodder production must demonstrate sustainable revenue streams to attract funding. Additionally, strong governance structures that ensure transparency and accountability inspire confidence among lenders. Upstream ventures should exhibit these governance practices. However, challenges have hindered the realization of upstream financing. Perceptions have ignored the investment value proposition of commercial fodder production, discouraging financial institutions from providing funding. The fragmented and unregulated fodder value chain, along with the absence of clear standards, complicates financing efforts,” noted Mr. Macharia.

To overcome these obstacles, actors within the livestock sector must advocate for the commercialization of fodder and engage in dialogue to raise awareness and demand for financing. Forums that enhance financial institutions’ understanding and acceptance of upstream financing are crucial. Education and training initiatives can bridge the knowledge gap.

To achieve sustainable livestock transformation, we need a multifaceted approach that includes optimizing feed production, genetic adaptation, climate change mitigation, and technological integration. Mr. John Maina from the State Department for Livestock Production emphasized the importance of information technology, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), in this transformation. IoT allows for real-time monitoring and management of farming processes, empowering farmers to make data-driven decisions, optimize resource utilization, and mitigate risks through connected farming within IoT ecosystems.

Policy interventions and public investments are crucial for facilitating this transition. Strategic initiatives that promote collaboration among stakeholders, including farmers, agribusinesses, and civil society organizations, are needed to foster innovation and address systemic challenges. Regional cooperation, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), holds promise in enhancing intra-African trade and strengthening food security.

This week, the RAFFS Project team will be undertaking significant project activities. Apart from establishing the MSP, other activities include: implementing communication strategies, reforming policies, conducting inventories of feed and fodder resources, and formalizing the African Women in Animal Resources Farming and Agribusiness Network (AWARFA-N).

Since its launch in 2023, the project has made progress in understanding the impact of these crises on the feed and fodder sectors in six African Union Member States: Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, and Zimbabwe. Through workshops, surveys, and stakeholder engagement, RAFFS is collecting data to support evidence-based solutions and policy interventions. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

The time is up for loss-making parastatals, President William Ruto has said.

And those that make profits must stop wasteful expenditure, including financing largesse in their parent ministries and unnecessary procurement.

The President directed that the government, including State corporations, must live within its means. Consequently, expenditure must never exceed revenues collected.

Speaking to chairs and CEOs of State corporations at State House Nairobi on Tuesday morning, President Ruto said some agencies have been making losses for years and have become a drain on the Exchequer.

“Now that the economy has stabilised, we cannot continue accumulating debt. Borrowing will only lead us down the cliff,” the President said.

On wastage in State corporations, the President said: “The money some parastatals make does not belong to their boards or management. It belongs to the people of Kenya as returns on investment.”

The President regretted that the abuse of public resources has become so rampant that it is inhibiting service delivery.

He directed that, from now on, Government budgets and expenditures will be subjected to rigorous scrutiny.

“We will also leverage on technology to check on improper payments and maximise on the value for money,” he asserted.

The move to reduce expenditure, he explained, will stop unnecessary borrowing and accelerate the government’s transformation agenda.

“We must get it right. We must do what is right. This is the time,” he added.

He told the meeting that the government will engage in an elaborate consolidation process that will stop duplicity of functions, wastage and winding up of loss-making institutions.

He cited cases of parastatals that have duplicated and overlapping roles.

“It is illogical. We have to shut down some of these loss-making parastatals. We must end excess capacity,” President Ruto said Kenya must begin living within its means and stop the habit of running huge budget deficits.

“In three years’ time, we must run a balanced budget. It won’t be easy but we must do it,” he said.

The President also directed the CEOs to reduce their recurrent budgets by 30 per cent.

Additionally, commercial State corporations must, from now, remit 80 per cent of their profits after tax to the National Treasury.

“We will give you directions on what to do with the remaining 20 per cent,” the President said.

Regulatory institutions were ordered to remit 90 per cent of their surplus funds to the Treasury.

“There will be no exceptions. Everybody must comply,” President Ruto directed.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

The African Union Commission through the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development in coordination with the East Africa Community launches the CARMMA plus campaign to provide an opportunity for the East Africa Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to convene stakeholders and galvanize their countries ownership and leadership as well as technical and financial support to the campaign. The launch is taking place alongside the Eastern Africa Regional Early Childhood Conference scheduled from 11-14 March 2024 in the United Republic of Tanzania under the theme: “Investing in early childhood: Building Human Capital along life course.”

This launch intends primarily to advocate for ongoing improved reproductive health for women, children, and adolescents by 2030 within all EAC partner States. Specifically, to:

Sensitize stakeholders on the Agenda of CARMMA Plus and galvanize East Africa Community region ownership and leadership to enforce accountability.
Generate sustained momentum for stakeholders’ efforts in the EAC region and emphasize their contributions to Reproductive Maternal, Newborn/Neonatal ,Child and Adolescent (RMNCAH) and to improve reproductive health outcomes for women, children, and adolescents by 2030.
Strengthen coordination mechanisms between the Ministry of Health in the EAC region.
Encourage scaled-up investments through increased domestic resources for RMNCAH by sharing experiences and best practices from EAC Partner States.

The campaign on accelerated reduction of maternal mortality in Africa (CARMMA) was first launched in May 2009. It is an initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC) that aimed at  curbing  high pregnancy-related deaths, promote and advocate for renewed and intensified implementation of the 2006 Maputo Plan of Action (MPoA) to reduce maternal, newborn, and child mortality by improving health outcomes for African women and children. It was designed to use policy dialogue, advocacy, and community mobilization to enlist political commitment and increase resources and societal change in support of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH).

In 2019, the African Union Commission evaluated the CARMMA campaign to determine its relevance, appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability. The evaluation revealed that African Union Member States that embraced the campaign at the highest political levels made significant improvements in their Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) indicators. The overall analysis of the campaign from its evaluation indicated that CARMMA is still relevant in Africa.

The Commission through the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development developed a new roadmap and its accountability partnership framework for re-strengthening the campaign, which has been endorsed by the AU Policy Organs in 2022. The next phase of implementation of the CARMMA Plus 2021 -2030 focuses on the unfinished Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) health agenda for women, new-borns, children, and adolescents that birth the “Plus to CARMMA” to be entitled CARMMA Plus taking into account Africa’s transformative Agenda 2063, the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the revised African Health Strategy 2016-2030, and the revised Maputo Plan of Action (2016-2030) for women and children as well as the AU continental Strategy on education for health and wellbeing of young people.

The CARMMA Plus campaign will focus on four key objectives: 1. broaden and strengthen accountability partnerships for RMNCAH, 2. enhance leadership and governance for RMNCAH policies and quality of services, 3. improve SRHR outcomes for adolescents through increased access to information, and services, and 4. finally strengthen knowledge management and learning systems.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).