Brooke responds to drought in Kenya

The U.K. based charity is taking action to provide feed and water to almost 14,000 donkeys that provide a lifeline to poor people living in rural areas. Brooke has set a target of £23,600 to be raised through JustGiving.

UPDATE: On 14 March, thanks to our generous supporters, we reached and exceeded our target. Vital emergency response work is underway to support those most affected. Read more about how Brooke is helping those in need.

Along with their owners, Kenya’s working donkeys are suffering from lack of food and water. Government aid has started, but working donkeys are currently being left out of current emergency response action, so Brooke’s team in Nairobi have stepped in. Alongside their day to day work, they will be providing water to 13,100 donkeys, and feed to 800. It’s estimated that one donkey can support a family of six, so the work is also set to benefit 80,000 people.

Below average rainfall has caused a drought in Kenya, and on 10 Feb the Government declared the current drought a national disaster. It is affecting 23 arid and semi-arid counties and pockets of other areas and is expected to last until July 2017.

“Working donkeys are vital to people’s livelihoods here - they carry water and food for families, fuel and building materials. They help people earn the money they use to put food on the table and children in school."