I am devastated by what happened two months ago in my village, Loldama. The flash floods caused by the overflowing River Perkerra and Molo washed away all the maize I had sowed on my one-acre land. It is especially painful because I had taken a loan from Kenya Seed Company, counting on the harvest to repay it. Now, I am left with nothing, and I do not know where to start again.I have reached out to Kenya Seed, but they have informed me that their season is over, and they do not allow replanting at this time. It is a heartbreaking situation because I not only lost my crop but also my means to support my family of three. We are facing uncertainty about where our next meal will come from and how we will manage financially.

Even amidst the devastating flash floods that struck my village two months ago, I find solace in knowing that my family of three remained safe, despite our farm being washed away. It was a harrowing experience, compounded by the fact that my child and I battled malaria and pneumonia shortly after the floods. However, we were incredibly fortunate to receive timely assistance from organizations like the Red Cross and MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières).Their support was invaluable during such a challenging time. They provided medical care, essential supplies, and a sense of hope when we needed it most. I am deeply grateful for their intervention, as it helped us recover physically and emotionally from the hardships we faced.

Living in an area prone to flash floods has taught me the importance of preparedness. After experiencing the desastrus effects of floods before, including damage to my mud-walled house which is now in dire need of repair again, I understand the necessity of planning for future disasters. Financial constraints have prevented me from building a more resilient iron sheet-walled house despite wanting to. Currently, my family relies on income from charcoal burning, which barely sustains us day to day with no surplus for savings. However, with anticipated transfers, I am hopeful. I plan to spend $450 towards renovating our house, aiming to provide a safer and more comfortable living space for my family of three. Additionally, I intend to spend $200 in purchasing goats, viewing them as a long-term investment that can offer financial security during times of need. Furthermore, I recognize the importance of improving our farming capabilities to secure our livelihood. Therefore, the rest of the transfers will be used to purchase a water pump, enabling me to irrigate my farm effectively once I am able to resume farming activities fully.I am hopeful of strengthening our resilience against future disasters and improve our overall quality of life.