Families in rural Kenya are struggling to survive. In a country where nearly one-third of the population earns less than two dollars a day, people are facing incredibly difficult times due to climate change. The drought accompanying climate change threatens livelihoods, leaving families in great distress as they try to meet basic needs like food and water. Meet Ebla, a grandmother raising her grandchildren.

Ebla lives with her family in a makeshift house made of dry branches and reeds in the village of Abdi Gab, Kenya. She explains that most of the young and strong men have migrated from the village with their livestock in search of pasture and water. This means that women and children are left behind, deprived of livestock—and consequently milk—with very limited access to food and water.

Unfortunately, it has not rained in this region for two years. As a result, the local population faces immense difficulty in accessing water and sustenance. Ebla longs for the abundance they once had and the fresh milk of their camels. She relies on the money her children send to get by, but it can sometimes take three months for them to return to the village. The intervening time leaves the entire family vulnerable. Ebla is currently caring for her 10 grandchildren, holding onto the hope that the rain and her children will return.

As Islamic Relief, we work hard to deliver the support needed by people enduring these hardships. We provided Ebla with cash assistance to help her meet her family's urgent needs. She shared her happiness with us:

“This is the first time aid has reached our village during these difficult periods of drought. This help came like a lifeline to my entire family. I was able to buy food for my grandchildren. It had been a long time since we last ate two meals a day. I was also able to purchase some of the medications I needed thanks to this support. I thank you so much and pray that you never forget us, because this drought is pushing us to our absolute limits.”

Alhamdulillah! Thanks to your support, we are able to assist many families in need across Kenya, just like Ebla and her family. We are saving lives through your generosity.