As the impacts of climate change intensify, rural communities worldwide face an urgent need for sustainable and resilient solutions.
Our latest impact study 'The impact of climate change on food security and hunger: the case of Christian Aid's interventions in Marsabit County, Kenya' highlights how climate change is not a distant threat but an immediate crisis, intensifying food insecurity and eroding the livelihoods of thousands. The study also evidences that investing in community-centred approaches mitigates the immediate impacts of climate change and builds a foundation for long-term resilience and equity.
In Marsabit County, Kenya—a region profoundly affected by droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall—Christian Aid and its partners, Community Initiative Facilitation and Assistance (CIFA), Pastoralist Community Initiative and Development Assistance (PACIDA) and Marsabit Indigenous Organization Network have pioneered a suite of interventions designed to empower local communities, secure food systems, and address the multi-faceted crises exacerbated by climate change.
A growing crisis
Marsabit’s predominantly pastoralist population, where 81% rely on livestock for their livelihood, is heavily impacted by climate variability. Repeated droughts have devastated livestock populations, while floods and erratic rainfall have eroded crops, leaving residents with limited options for sustenance.
Our impact study shows that over 80% of households experienced significant livestock losses during recent droughts, with some families losing their entire herds. In pastoral communities, this means a loss of primary income, nutrition, and social stability. Moreover, reduced livestock and crop productivity increase dependency on humanitarian aid, pushing many households further into poverty.
Empowering communities through sustainable agriculture
Marsabit County’s challenges highlights how climate change threatens food systems and why sustainable agricultural practices are crucial. It underscores the need for climate-resilient agriculture that supports local adaptation. Christian Aid Kenya’s work has introduced climate-smart agricultural practices, including the use of drought-tolerant livestock and resilient crop varieties. These efforts have given communities tools to manage climate-induced food insecurities.
Additionally, we collaborate with local partners to implement water-saving techniques, such as water pans and boreholes, providing communities with a reliable water supply even in prolonged droughts. These climate-smart interventions not only stabilise food production but also empower communities to develop self-reliant strategies.
However, these practices require resources that local communities often lack, pointing to the need for climate finance that is accessible by the communities most affected.
Supporting women as agents of change
In the region, women and marginalised groups bear the brunt of climate impacts, facing water shortages, food scarcity, and limited livelihood opportunities. This uneven burden highlights the importance of empowering vulnerable communities to design and lead their own adaptation strategies.
Through our programmes, women in Marsabit have become instrumental in leading food security efforts within households, particularly as traditional livestock-based incomes decline. Christian Aid’s programmes empower women through self-help groups, supporting women’s groups and village savings associations and skills training, allowing them to contribute financially and socially to their families’ resilience.
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This shift has not only enhanced household stability but has also brought about greater gender equity and involvement in community decision-making. Such inclusive approaches to adaptation are necessary to ensure that food security solutions address the needs of those most impacted by climate change.
Leveraging community strategies and traditional knowledge
Indigenous knowledge remains vital to Marsabit’s climate adaptation strategy, with traditional practices of food storage, crop selection, and water conservation enabling communities to cope with environmental challenges. Christian Aid Kenya’s interventions have supported the blending of indigenous and modern adaptation strategies.
In Moyale Sub-County, for instance, communities have adopted water pan systems and resilient crop varieties alongside traditional water conservation practices. This integration ensures that adaptation strategies are locally relevant and resilient, enabling the community to adapt while preserving cultural practices.
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Lessons for action
The findings from this impact study highlight a critical need for increased support from both government and international partners to scale and sustain these community-led adaptation measures. The success in fostering community ownership and capacity for adaptive change sets a powerful example for how targeted interventions can transform vulnerable communities.
Our impact study underscores that while Marsabit’s climate-related challenges are profound, the community’s resilience and adaptive capacity are strong. With sustained support, these programmes could be replicated across similar regions, offering a scalable model for mitigating climate change's impact on food security.
For climate actors, donors, and policymakers committed to reducing global food insecurity, Christian Aid’s work in Marsabit County is a stark reminder of why urgent collaborative efforts are necessary to secure resilient food systems and ensure climate adaptation.
