US Contributes $4 Million to Kenya’s Fight Against Climate Change

By Samuel Ouma

The United States government has donated $4 million to Kenya to address climate change.

The US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, announced the donation during the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi.

The funds provided by the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) will support migrants, refugees, and host communities impacted by climate events in the East African nation.

"This $4 million contribution is dedicated to improving data on climate mobility and providing support in agricultural regions home to so many displaced persons, consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order 14013 concerning the impacts of climate change on migration," read a statement released by the US Department of State in part.

The funds are in addition to the $5 million allocated by PRM to the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund in 2022, which supports collective action for safe and orderly migration, including research by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development into cross-border migration connected to climate change.

The Horn of Africa is suffering from its worst drought in 40 years, hurting 36 million people and displacing 2.3 million.

Kenya recently ranked 31st in terms of vulnerability to the effects of climate change.

Kenya's Garissa and Turkana Counties feature significant pastoral communities that house thousands of refugees and migrants fleeing war and drought around the area.