20 December 2011: The World Bank has approved the scaling up of its support to Kenya to address the impacts of the current drought by $56.8 million. Support to the Kenya Health Sector Support Project is expected to benefit 90,000 pregnant and lactating women, and nearly 400,000 malnourished children in the affected areas.

According to the World Bank, it is estimated that the drought in the Horn of Africa has affected 3.7 million people in the northern parts and Eastern Kenya, particularly mothers and children severely malnourished. The emergency funding is a response to malnutrition and vulnerability in the areas worst hit by the drought.

The funds were made available through the Crisis Response Window, as part of the International Development Association (IDA). [World Bank Press Release]