Recent heavy rains in Kenya have created flash floods that have affected rice farmers throughout significant regions of Kenya. These farmers have lost much of their crops and threatens the neat future of these regions local economies along with possible food shortages. Many of the farmers affected were harvesting rice, Kenya’s third staple after maize and wheat. The annual production of Kenya’s rice farmers is estimated at nearly 50,000 tons per year. This only accounts for nearly one seventh of Kenya’s consumption level of rice. This means that Kenya will have to rely on even further imports from countries like Pakistan as nearly 2,000 farmers have lost their entire batch of crops due to the floods. I chose to pick this issue because due to these flash floods and the massive loss of crops, Kenya will have an uphill battle in order to cope with these losses. Kenya is a highly agricultural state and with its third largest staple being knocked out, it will put serious strains on the government.
Natural disasters come in different forms and sizes. As United States citizens we hear about domestic disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy that ravaged our coastlines, along with the Tsunami that hit southeast asia and left billions in damages. What we dont hear about is disasters like what has happened in Kenya. Although not nearly as large or as devastating, it has severely damaged certain populations and the ability for the country to feed its own people. When a country does not have the basic necessities to feed its own population this can lead to even more discontent and a possible lead to violence. Especially in Kenya, where since the corrupt presidential election of 2007, there have been tensions. Although Kenya has since worked to implement a new constitution and state of peace, when a highly important resource like that of the rice cultivation takes a massive hit, it could intern lead to some unrest.
Along with the huge loss of agricultural production, the floods have also created major health risks among the Kenyan population. This is because of the pit latrines which also got swept away which could lead to a major outbreak of waterborne diseases. Kenyans have no choice but to continue to drink the water that has now been tainted with the latrines as it is their only source of water. Kenyan Leonard Kwama stated, “We continue using this water but I know people will get sick after some time.” This is a real problem that if not addressed sooner rather than later will break out into disease for a significant and important part of the Kenyan population.
The Kenyan government must step in to help salvage this area and population. The agrictultural sector is vital to the Kenyan economy and without it or continual displacement to families and crops in the area the economy will suffer. If this happens food shortages are also likely as Kenya must already import a significant amount of its food. The Kenyan government should also put in resources that would mitigate the damages that future flash floods will do. They can put in oxbows and canals which they previously tried, but were abandoned after farmers asked for compensation as they would have to be placed on their farms. However, because these areas are so vital to Kenya they should do it and pay the compensation to the farmers as it will needed if flash floods continue to affect the area in future years. Farmers have also stated the faultiness to the flood warning system, as many times when these warnings are issued nothing occurs. If the warnings became more accurate they could be better prepared. Finally there are also ways to build flood proof storage facilities that farmers can keep their harvest in safely. If the government brought people in and taught the farmers how to construct these buildings it would save millions of dollars when the next flood occurs.
However, the most important thing right now is for the government to act now to help the displaced farmers. These floods have not only cost the local economies in the area, but also the health of citizens in the area. If the government does not step in they not only risk food shortages throughout the country, but also the risk of waterborne diseases to be contracted. In a country that has just put in a new constitution and according to freedom house is between a 3 and 4 in levels of civil liberties, political rights, and freedom rating, it would be smart for the government to intervene and help this portion of the population if they want continual peace and stability. If food shortages become evident and the emergence of a new waterborne disease/s then protest and possible violence are likely.
I think that this is a really interesting topic, one that is related directly to our study of Aid in Africa. The different opinions on the effectiveness of aid make the solution of how the Kenyan government should deal with the flood a difficult one. On the one hand, they should get and use aid (food) to help prevent a food shortage, but that move also would harm the economy. If they shipped in food solely from aid giving nations, the ramifications could be counterproductive. I am in favor of the idea that aid money should be used to not only bring in food from other countries, but it should also be used to purchase food from local markets to prevent the undercutting of those local markets. This situation will be an interesting one to watch because I agree with you that if nothing is done, violence is a very real consequence. If the government is smart, they can take this situation as an opportunity to prove that they are an effective regime with a quick an educated response.
ReplyDeleteI agree that aid can be detrimental to Kenya but temporary food relief would be of benefit to Kenya's citizens. This could lead to many future problems for Kenya's government. Your comments make me think of the link we talked about in class between civil conflict and the droughts and low economic growth during the 1970 and 80s.
ReplyDeleteLike Josh, I think this topic is extremely poignant as it explores one facet of the extraordinarily complex issue of aid in Africa. Although the role of aid, especially for crisis aftermath recovery is undoubtedly crucial, the role of a national government is perhaps even more complex. Though it is [arguably] one of the purposes of having a national government system in place to provide the structure and organization to enact crisis management systems, in the case of African nations, we see that these systems often fail. After crisis, especially one of natural disaster, even the most politically and socially organized nations are in disarray - the physical infrastructure of the state among one of the greatest challenges to rebuild. Aid that goes to these nations is often mismanaged or redirected to other areas, leaving devastated areas without access to the vital resources they require to rebuild and provide relief to displaced citizens.
ReplyDeleteYour assertion and plea for governments to respond more quickly to displaced farmers so desperately in need of assistance is heartfelt