[Kenya] Welthungerhilfe: increasing prostitution driven by poverty in drought-stricken Kenya

From Reuters Alert Net

Bonn, 12.1.2006. Deutsche Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) has observed a strong increase in poverty-driven prostitution as the drought continues in Kenya. Prostitution is particularly visible along the country's main highway linking the port of Mombassa to the capital Nairobi and continuing into the Great Lakes region in Central Africa. "More and more girls are standing at the road side, many of them not even thirteen of age," says Iris Krebber, head of Welthungerhilfe's Nairobi office.

A Kenyan study conducted in October 2004 came to the conclusion that between 10,000 and 20,000 new HIV infections result from roadside prostitution per year. Iris Krebber fears that hunger will now push the AIDS statistics even higher. "Because food reserves have run out and mothers can no longer afford to feed their children, many decide that the only way out is to "go to the street", a euphemism here for prostitution." Many children have, she adds, been forced to drop out of school because their parents do not even have the money for exercise-books and pencils, let alone the tuition fees charged by secondary schools.

The situation in the south-east of Kenya is getting worse every day as large numbers of nomads with their cattle move into the area in search of water and pasture. "This is putting even more pressure on the local farmers," explains Iris Krebber. Many nomads and farmers are forced to sell their cattle, bringing down the price of cows by five per cent. They have to accept the equivalent of less than four euros per animal.

Deutsche Welthungerhilfe has been active in the south-east of Kenya for more than five years. Since the drought started in 2004 its work has focused on improving water suppliers. Around 200,000 people are receiving food in payment for work on dams, wells and catchment systems for rainwater. In the field of AIDS prevention, Deutsche Welthungerhilfe, in co-operation with its partner organisation "Act Now", has so far reached about 50,000 people through health education, counselling and medical examinations.

Welthungerhilfe is appealing for donations to support drought victims in Kenya.