NURTURING RESILIENCE: HOW MALKADAKA VILLAGE IS THRIVING THROUGH SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CRISIS

NURTURING RESILIENCE: HOW MALKADAKA VILLAGE IS THRIVING THROUGH SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CRISIS

HEALTHCARE OUTREACH PROGRAM UNDER HEAL PROJECT

Residents of Bula Mpya in Gafarsa receive Healthcare outreach program by AMREF

COUNTY STAFF TRAINED ON GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) are powerful decision-making tools for any Institution since it allows the analyzation of environmental, demographic, and topographic data. Data intelligence compiled from GIS applications help to make informed decisions.

COUNTY STAFF TRAINED ON GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) are powerful decision-making tools for any Institution since it allows the analyzation of environmental, demographic, and topographic data. Data intelligence compiled from GIS applications help to make informed decisions.

COUNTY STAFF TRAINED ON GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) are powerful decision-making tools for any Institution since it allows the analyzation of environmental, demographic, and topographic data. Data intelligence compiled from GIS applications help to make informed decisions.

ISIOLO COUNTY:  A COUNTY FULL OF PROMISE, BRIMMING WITH INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CONDUCIVE ENVIROMENT FOR PARTNERSHIPS 



Donor's Activities Picture Gallery




PARTNERSHIP WITH ACTION AGAINST HUNGER TRANSFORMS LIVES IN MALKADAKA VILLAGE

In Isiolo County lies Malkadaka Village, a testament to human resilience amidst climate crisis. It's a place where the winds of change have brought both challenge and opportunity, and where the women of the Habsa Women Group have emerged as beacons of hope.   


Nestled 165 kilometers from Isiolo town, Malkadaka’s 800 households have long grappled with the harsh realities of climate change. Drought and flooding have become all too familiar, often leaving them without the sustenance their livestock once provided. Malnutrition, especially among children and women, has become a pressing issue, a stark reminder of the community’s vulnerabilities.


But amidst these challenges, the Habsa Women Group has found a way forward. In partnership with Action Against Hunger (ACF) and the Isiolo County Government’s Department of Agriculture, they have embraced horticultural farming—a sustainable solution to the problems of food insecurity, dietary diversity, and livelihood diversification.

Wario Huka, the group’s chairman, recounts their journey. Established in 2018, they transitioned from maize farming to cultivating vegetables like onions, kale, spinach, and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes. In 2023, ACF provided critical support, including training on agro-enterprise establishment, Climate Smart Agriculture, and agro-ecology. Certified seeds and farm implements were also provided, along with extension services for pest and disease management.


The results were tangible. The Habsa farmers reported a substantial harvest, including tomatoes, onions, green grams, and hot peppers. These surplus crops were sold in the local market, providing a much-needed boost to the community’s economy.
Beyond economic gains, the project has had a profound impact on nutrition. By growing their own vegetables, the group has diversified their diet and reduced their dependency on livestock products. This has not only improved their health but also empowered them economically.


Janet Muema, ACF’s Food Security and Livelihood Officer, underscores the broader goals of the UBS-funded project. It aims to build resilience in drought-affected communities like Malkadaka. One such initiative is the introduction of Value-Added Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), where women not only consume nutritious food but also sell surplus and save for the future.

Challenges remain, such as farm animal invasion, but ACF is taking steps to address them. The 2-acre Malkadaka farm is being fenced, and solarized water pumps have been provided to aid in crop irrigation during dry periods. Collaboration with the Isiolo County Government ensures a holistic approach to sustainability.


Mansur Shaban, the County Government’s Trade, Investment, and Industrialization Officer, emphasizes the importance of this collaboration. All departments, from gender and social services to agriculture and health, are involved in addressing the root causes of malnutrition.


Waqo Nura Galma, the Kinna Extension Officer, highlights the critical role of extension services in guiding Malkadaka farmers on best practices. The Department of Trade, led by Mansur Shaban, facilitates market linkages to prevent losses of farm produce.  Shinda Yussuf, a Habsa farm member and a mother, shares her story. Her shop now features vegetables from the group farm, ensuring a steady supply for Malkadaka residents. She speaks of the positive impact on her family’s diet and income, thanks to the ACF and County Government intervention.


In the face of climate crisis, Malkadaka stands as a testament to the transformative power of sustainable agriculture. Through collaborative efforts, it is possible to not only address environmental challenges but also meet socioeconomic needs and improve nutrition well-being. As the village strides toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals, it serves as a model for resilient and empowered rural communities.



COUNTY STAFF TRAINED ON GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) UNDER NAWIRI PROJECT

Isiolo county staff from different departments have been trained on the use of geospatial information system which is a powerful decision-making tools for any institution since it allows the analyzation of environmental, demographic, and topographic data. Data intelligence compiled from GIS applications help institution make informed decisions. The program under NAWIRI project is a research and development program in Isiolo county to increase project and stakeholder understanding of the causes of acute malnutrition through a collaborative learning process involving local actors including communities, county institutions, civil society, and the private sector.  Designed effective multi-sectoral approaches to sustainably reduce acute malnutrition. Isiolo county has experienced recurring high rates of global acute malnutrition over the last decades, and there are indications that the problem is worsening, in spite of efforts made to address it. An approach is needed that addresses both the immediate and underlying causes of acute malnutrition, while also addressing the more basic or systemic drivers of these underlying causes.




FIELD SURVEYS, ASSESSMENTS AND DESK STUDIES



 MM/YYYY
 FIELD SURVEYS, ASSESSMENTS AND DESK STUDIES   DOWNLOAD 
 10/2023

Vulnerability, Risk, and Resilience:

The implications for the drivers of malnutrition in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties, Kenya. (USAID Nawiri Longitudinal Study Learning Brief)

 Download 
 10/2023  Mobility Matters: The Benefits of Pastoralist Mobility for Nutrition in Marsabit and Isiolo Counties, Kenya. (USAID Nawiri Longitudinal Study Learning Brief)  Download
 10/2022  REPORT OF GEWE SURVEY TO MAINSTREAM GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN ALL DRiC PROJECT AT NATIONAL AND ISIOLO COUNTY LEVELS.  Download 
 09/2022  USAID NAWIRI Food and Market Systems: Background Paper   Download 
 04/2022

 Routine Data Quality Assessment Report for the Isiolo and Marsabit County Health System 


 Download 
 04/2022

 USAID Nawiri Learning Brief: Adapted Nutrition Friendly

Graduation Pilot

 Download 
 12/2021 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DESIGNING INTERGRATED INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND NUTRITION BEHAVIOURS ISIOLO COUNTY- DRiC   Download 
 11/2021

 USAID Nawiri Learning Brief: Malnutrition Hotspot

Mapping & Analysis

 Download 
 11/2021

Participatory Analysis and Co-Design of The Adapted Milk Matters Interventions 


 Download 
 11/2021  USAID Nawiri Learning Brief: Social and Behavior Change  Download 
 11/2021

 Use of Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) to Improve Complementary Feeding, Including the Consumption of Preserved Foods, in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties, Kenya 


 Download 
 09/2021 Nawiri Desk Review: Government Sector Framework on Nutrition-Policies and Programs in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties  Download 
 09/2021  The Participatory Institutional Capacity Assessment (PICA) on

Implementing Multisectoral Nutrition Approaches in
Isiolo and Marsabit Counties

 Download 
 09/2021  Nawiri Desk Analysis: A Gender Youth and Social Dynamics Analysis to explore gender, social and cultural norms associated with Acute Malnutrition in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties of Kenya. 


 Download
 09/2021 Desk Review Report: Understanding Nutrition and Health System Drivers of Acute Malnutrition in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Kenya- Isiolo and Marsabit Counties. 


 Download 
 08/2021 Desk Study Report: Understanding the Role and Potential of The Private Sector in Addressing Acute Malnutrition in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties Desk Review Report  Download 
 08/2021 Isiolo Value Chain Analysis Final Reports-DRiC  Download 
 08/2021  Field Study Report: Understanding the Role and Potential of The Private Sector in Addressing Acute Malnutrition in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties 


 Download 
 07/2021 Nawiri Desk Study: Gender Gap Analysis in Isiolo and Marsabit   Download 
 07/2021 Nawiri Desk Study: Natural Resources Management and Nutrition in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties   Download 
 07/2021  Nawiri Desk Study: Drivers of child malnutrition in the Kenya arid and semi-arid lands   Download 
 06/2021  USAID Nawiri Gender, Youth and Social Dynamics Analysis to Explore Gender, Social and Cultural Norms Associated with Acute Malnutrition in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties of Kenya  Download 
 5/2021  Baseline Monitoring and Evaluation Capacity Assessment Report, County of Isiolo.   Download 
2/2021  Field Survey Report- Disaster Information Management System (DIMS)  Download 
 9/2020  Baseline Report for Building Drought Resilience in Isiolo County Through Sustainable Livelihoods (DRiC).   Download 
      
     
     
     

DRIC PROJECT - VSF

Rapsu residents benefit from hay storage facility

Residents of Rapsu have been handed over a hay storage facility that was constructed by VSF under the DRIC project funded by European Union. The project is set to benefit Rapsu, Gafarsa, Mlanda nur, Korbesa, and Shambani.

Fodder Production and Marketing

Fodder Production Reap Much in Kinna Ward of Isiolo County

Lack of quality fodder, especially during drought, is a major limiting factor in improving livestock production in the Northern Areas of Kenya. The work undertaken to improve fodder yields and fodder quality through the introduction and evaluation of improved fodder production system championed by both the County government of Isiolo and Development partners has started working immensely. In recent years, Isiolo has grappled with drought diminishing the quality and quantity of livestock feeds. Compounding this is poor technical knowledge of fodder production and the unsustainable use of limited natural resources. In order to face the future successfully, farmers will have to adapt to changing and more extreme weather patterns, and will need to develop environmentally sustainable and efficient solutions to improve animal production. 

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Kinna Community Water Project

Commissioning of Water Project in Kinna Ward of Isiolo County

Universal access to safe drinking water is a fundamental need and human rights. Securing access for all would go a long way in reducing illness and death, especially among children. Access to a reliable clean and safe water source will unlock potential by returning time for study, and work. It is against this backdrop, that The Methodist church of Kenya Kinna branch has lifted the burden of searching for this precious commodity after securing partnership with the Water for The World organisation in drilling of a borehole in Kinna, Isiolo County. According to Hussein Dima representative of Water for The World said that the project is aimed at improving livelihoods of Kinna residents and Isiolo County at large. 

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WORLD ANTIMICROBIAL AWARENESS WEEK ACTIVITY 2023

On the occasion of Antimicrobial Awareness Week, the HEAL field team, in conjunction with the County Government of Isiolo, conducted a series of healthcare outreach programs aimed at raising awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The team's efforts at Merti Referral Hospital, Dimaado MSIP, Bula Mpya, Garbatulla Sub County Hospital, and Kinna Health Centre in Garbatulla ward have made a significant contribution to the global effort to combat AMR. Dr. Bettinah Ngei, Hellen Larabi and Eng. Abdi Guyo played a pivotal role in facilitating these initiatives. 
‌Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week is a crucial opportunity to educate healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and communities about the critical threat of antimicrobial resistance. The participation of experts from both the healthcare and environmental sectors underscores the interdisciplinary nature of addressing AMR. This recognition acknowledges that AMR is not a health issue alone but is also closely linked to environmental and climate considerations. 
‌Raising awareness about responsible antimicrobial use, proper sanitation practices, and the impact of climate change on the spread of resistant microbes is essential for building a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system. The collaboration between the HEAL field team and local authorities exemplifies a proactive approach to mitigating the effects of AMR at the community level. This partnership highlights the importance of community engagement in addressing global health crises. 
Amref Health Africa in Kenya - AMREF KENYA

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NAWIRI PROGRAMMES

Launch of e-CIMES Platform in Isiolo County 

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) stage in any development project plays a pivotal role in ensuring projects are timely implemented and are within allocated budgets. To achieve real-time assessment of the development project’s data, the County Government of Isiolo led by Governor Mohammed Abdi Kuti has for the last six months working in partnership with USAID-Nawiri to move its M&E function to a digital platform. 

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Our Partners

Catholic Relief Services
World Food Programme
USAID KENYA
European Union
CARITAS KENYA
Merti Intergrated Development Program
Action Against Hunger
ACTION AID KENYA
VSF-Suisse Kenya
MERCY CORPS KENYA
LIVING GOODS KENYA
Northern Rangeland Trust KENYA
KENYA REDCROSS SOCIETY
KENYA REDCROSS SOCIETY