Over 63,000 residents in Makueni and Tana River counties will benefit from a new program addressing health issues caused by climate change. Prudential Kenya, through its Prudence Foundation, has partnered with the Kenya Red Cross Society to launch the Climate & Health Resilience Fund, a $100,000 (Ksh12.91 million) project aimed at helping communities cope with climate-induced health challenges.
The initiative targets women and children in these counties, where extreme weather like droughts and floods has led to rising cases of malnutrition, waterborne diseases, and poor maternal and child health. Around 14,048 children under five, 27,692 primary school children, and 22,102 women of reproductive age are expected to benefit. The program focuses on building long-term resilience in areas heavily impacted by climate change.
At the launch event in Hola, Tana River County, Prudential Kenya’s CEO, Gwen Kinisu, said, “This fund will drive a project designed to address climate-related health challenges in a sustainable way, focusing on education, empowerment, and community resilience.” She highlighted that women and children are the most affected by climate-related health crises, and this initiative aims to improve their health outcomes.
The one-year project involves partners like the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment, and the International Federation of Red Cross. The Kenya Red Cross will lead community efforts, including teaching school children about climate-related health risks like heatstroke, malaria, and cholera. They will also provide first aid training to make children first responders in their communities.
Other efforts include installing water purification and rainwater harvesting systems in schools, setting up kitchen gardens, and promoting climate-smart agriculture. Community Health Workers and local leaders will help integrate climate resilience into health and education systems. The project also aims to reduce malnutrition, increase vaccination coverage, and make schools hubs for climate resilience.
Last year, about 2.1 million people in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions faced food insecurity due to prolonged droughts, putting children at risk of malnutrition. In Tana River and Makueni, chronic malnutrition rates among young children are high, at 18.3% and 17.6%, respectively.
This project builds on Prudential’s previous efforts in Kenya, like the REACH Initiative and flood relief donations. By focusing on preparedness and sustainable practices, the Climate & Health Resilience Fund aims to help communities better adapt to climate challenges.
