participants during the training

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the Kenya government, has taken significant steps to enhance El Niño preparedness through a specialized Media Training Workshop conducted from 17 to 19 October 2023, in Naivasha, Kenya. The training aimed to raise awareness of El Niño-driven public health threats and equip media professionals, including journalists from print and broadcast media, with essential crisis communication skills, specifically in the context of Rift Valley fever.

Kenya is one of several East African countries expected to face the impacts of El Niño, characterized by heavy rainfall and potential flooding, according to FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS). The Kenya Meteorological Department issued a warning on 2 September 2023, predicting heavy rains in various regions of the country from October 2023 to January 2024 as a result of this phenomenon.

With generous support from German funding, FAO is actively implementing anticipatory actions for agriculture and livelihoods (including crops and livestock) in coordination with the government. These actions aim to safeguard lives and livelihoods, enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities, and mitigate the immediate effects of floods, thereby reducing the risks associated with El Niño, including the outbreak of Rift Valley fever.

One key element of disaster risk reduction is early warning systems, which are vital in preventing loss of life and reducing the economic and material impact of disasters. Effective early warning systems actively engage at-risk communities through public awareness, risk communication, and the timely dissemination of risk management messages and warnings, ensuring a state of preparedness.

The Media Training Workshop was officially inaugurated by Dr. Jane Njuguna, representative of the Directorate of Veterinary Services in Charge of Animal Health, Communication, and Veterinary Advisory Services. She underscored the government's commitment to El Niño preparedness, including risk assessment and heightened disease surveillance. Dr. Njuguna praised the media training initiative as a crucial preparedness effort to ensure accurate reporting, support risk mitigation, and prevent panic among the population.

Dr. Joseph Njuguna, representing FAO, expressed gratitude for the productive collaboration with the Directorate of Veterinary Services. He emphasized FAO's role in promoting anticipatory actions to mitigate the public health threats driven by El Niño. In line with this mission, FAO is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of the media to foster accurate reporting. Dr. Njuguna also commended the media training as an essential preparedness measure to ensure accurate reporting that supports risk mitigation and prevents unnecessary panic among the population.

The workshop brought together journalists from national and local media outlets in counties at the highest risk of Rift Valley Fever outbreaks.

For further information, please contact:

Joseph Otieno

National Communications Specialist

FAO Kenya

Email: [email protected]

Yanira Santana

Emergency Reporting and Outreach

FAO ECTAD Africa

Email : [email protected]