About 17.4 million of the poorest people in the world live in Kenya. Located in sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya is prone to drought and seasonal flooding, both of which have historically impeded economic progress.
In addition to environmental instability, Kenya has suffered from a history of unpredictable aid since the 1980s. As humanitarian aid to Kenya fluctuates, investment in its economy fluctuates as well. However, humanitarian aid to Kenya has stabilized since the early 1990s.
In September 2000, the government of Kenya set a list of Millennium Development Goals intended to improve the stability of aid. The biggest changes that improved the efficacy of aid are the following:
- New development goals focused on measurable targets.
- The emergence of the Internet mobilized wider participation in determining the budget for humanitarian aid to Kenya.
- The end of the Cold War leveled geopolitics preventing the complication of aid negotiations.
USAID and the Kenyan government have worked closely for more than 50 years to reduce the devastation stemming from recurring stressors like seasonal flooding, drought, inter-communal conflict and disease outbreaks.
Kenya is also known for having a young, well-educated workforce eager to contribute to the development of the country. This workforce has inspired renewed confidence in humanitarian aid to Kenya, propelling it forward as a leader in mobile money and communication technology.
In addition to traditional aid delivered to Kenya, herders have adapted to farming in response to dwindling open rangeland. Also, World Concern Kenya is currently focused on providing large-scale water and sanitation meant to provide clean water to 98,000 people over a period of three years.
The Republic of Kenya has fostered a friendship with the United States for many years, working together to improve access to education and healthcare as well as delegating resources to democracy programs and laying a foundation for future economic growth.
Kenya has the second largest population and the most diversified economy in East Africa. Sometimes called “The gateway to East Africa,” it is now known as a transportation hub for most of sub-Saharan Africa.
As aid continues to stabilize and increase and Kenyan citizens continue to adapt and move forward, the evidence of the impact of aid only becomes clearer.
– Rebekah Korn
Photo: Flickr