Devastating drought is ravaging semi-arid Ijara Ward, Sangailu and parts of Hulugho Ward in Garissa County, leaving many families and their livestock struggling for survival.

No loss of life has been reported but the resident expressed fears it was just a matter of time before it happens unless the government and humanitarian organisations intervene.

Ijara youth leader Yakub Yarrow, together with local elders, lamented that communities are facing acute water shortages for both domestic and livestock use as the short rains that were expected between October and December have delayed.

Yarrow appealed to well-wishers, NGOs, religious leaders and both the county and national governments to intervene and support residents affected by the dry spell.

He announced that the youth will soon launch the “Sama youth water trucking initiative,” an emergency effort to supply water to vulnerable families. “It is our collective duty to stand with and support the less fortunate in our community,” said Yarrow.

Yarrow also urged the Garissa County government to enhance water trucking programmes and requested the national government, through Ijara MP, to construct more dams to support livestock and wildlife.

He warned that the ongoing drought could increase human-wildlife conflict as both compete for scarce water resources in the region bordering Boni Forest in Lamu County and Somali to the east.

Residents have appealed for urgent government and NGO intervention to save lives and livelihoods as the drought intensifies.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Mohamed Dahir