"The drought in Kenya is the worst in many years, and more than four million people are at risk," warned Minister of International Development Anne Kristin Sydnes in Nairobi today.

The Minister also announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to allocate a further NOK 4.5 million to the drought victims, in addition to the NOK 5 million Norway provided earlier this year.

The Horn of Africa has been suffering from severe drought for the last four years, and the persistent drought in Kenya has resulted in an acute need for humanitarian assistance. "The water shortage has reached a critical point," said Ms Sydnes.

Norway’s contribution is being channelled through UNICEF, and is to be used for drilling for water and for constructing 20 wells in the hardest hit areas. The Norwegian emergency preparedness system NOREPS will provide equipment and follow-up in Kenya in cooperation with UNICEF.

The Minister is visiting Kenya together with the government’s Aidsforum, and will be travelling on to Uganda this evening for a two-day visit.