NAIROBI, 8 Feb 2006 (IRIN) – The failure of the 2005 short rains in 25 Kenyan districts has left at least 3.5 million people, including 500,000 school children, in need of emergency assistance over the next year, the government said on Wednesday.

“Following five consecutively failed or poor seasons, vulnerable populations are running out of coping options,” said an assessment report by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group, whose members include government ministries, United Nations agencies and nongovernmental organisations.

Speaking at the launch of an appeal for US $245 million in the capital, Nairobi, the minister of state for special programmes, John Munyes, said the districts hardest-hit by the drought were in the arid and semi-arid northern, northeastern and eastern regions.

Pictures avialable from one of the worst effected areas in Northern and Northeast Kenya (Turbi/Marsabit). Just back fromn the area. Newspapers and agencies please call Arjen Westra: +31(0)626-534574.

For video footage please visit: VideoReporter

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