The people of Kenya are a bright, caring, and energetic people. But they cannot control natural disasters or political uprisings. From droughts and floods to tribal clashes, Kenyans face daily struggles that few Americans have to contend with. During the last drought in Georgia, where KMO calls home, citizens were told not to water their lawns, to flush toilets sparingly, and to conserve water as much as possible. The people of Kenya are experiencing one of the worst droughts since 2000. Approximately 2.5 million Kenyans are receiving food aid and they are estimating an additional 1.3 million are in need of emergency relief. KMO works with their community partners to determine the needs of each area and during difficult times KMO will reach out to provide a helping hand.

The drought has caused crops to fail and cattle to die. The basic necessities of life are being lost. The Kenyan government is not able to support the mass numbers of people that need aid during such severe conditions. KMO has food aid programs available. As an example, in March of 2009, Dollie and Penny, the KMO partner missionaries, delivered food aid to over 7,000 people. A basic package consisted of 6kgs of corn, 6kgs of beans, 1kg of cooking oil, 3 bags of ungali, which is a heavy version of grits, and a packet of salt. The package was given to family units estimated to have 7 members. That one project fed 1,000 families of 7 for three weeks on a Kenyan diet. The cost was a mere $8,000. In the U.S. that dollar amount would feed less than 20 families of 4 four a month.

KMO provides assistance very similar to drought assistance. As major situations arise KMO will work with community leaders to determine the best course of action. In many cases these are flash floods that damage the simple structures that provide shelter for families and as a result displacement occurs and the family has to pick up and move. KMO will work to assist with delivering food aid to areas hit by damaging floods.