Brooke’s team in Nairobi aim to provide water to 13,100 donkeys and feed to 800.

Brooke launches JustGiving campaign

UK-based equine charity Brooke has launched an emergency appeal to help thousands of vulnerable donkeys living in Kenya.

In February 2017, following months of low rainfall, the government of Kenya declared a national drought emergency. Of the 47 arid and semi-arid counties, 23 are affected and the drought is expected to last until July 2017.

Responding, the Brooke charity has launched a JustGiving campaign which aims to raise around £23,000 for working donkeys, that provide a lifeline to poor people living in rural areas.

Alongside their day-to-day work, Brooke’s team in Nairobi aim to provide water to 13,100 donkeys and feed to 800. It is thought that one donkey can support a family of six, so the work is thought to benefit 80,000 people.

“Crippling seasonal drought is becoming more frequent in Africa. We saw it where we work in Senegal in 2015, and now in Kenya,” said Dil Peeling, director of animal welfare and sustainability at Brooke.

“Working donkeys are vital to people’s livelihoods here - they carry water and food for families, fuel and building materials. They help people earn the money they use to put food on the table and children in school."

Over the coming weeks, the drought situation is expected to get worse. Currently the campaign stands at 16,000, to make a donation visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/Brooke-Emergency-Appeal-Kenya-Drought.

Image (C) Brooke/Freya Dowson