Livelihood

Kenya is among the Sub-Saharan countries considered to be highly vulnerable to conflicts, economic shocks as well as seasonal fluctuations in production, health and employment opportunities. This is as a result of the imminent disasters brought about by the impact of climate change among other hazards. These multifaceted stresses and shocks end up contributing significantly to livelihood trajectories and poverty dynamics of the affected households either directly or indirectly. Unfortunately, this situation is further compounded by the fact that there is little or no time and space for communities to recover from a disaster before the next disaster strikes. Further, about 500,000, graduate from various tertiary institutions yearly ready to enter the job market. However, due to the slow economic growth, corruption, nepotism and demand for experience by potential employers, over 75% remain unemployed. This increases their vulnerability to misuse in the perpetuation of conflicts and recruitment to illegal gangs.

Livelihoods are understood as the collective or set of capabilities, assets, and activities that are required to make a living depending on access to natural, human, physical, financial, social, and cultural capital (assets). Multiple stressors that occur simultaneously and in sequence will often result in grossly undermined livelihoods which impact on the affected populace in distinct ways due to inequalities and differential vulnerabilities. Therefore, there is an urgent need for humanitarian actors to design interventions geared towards building the resilience of vulnerable community members to be able to anticipate, prepare for, respond to and quickly recover from crises whenever they occur, including vulnerable youths, as entrenched in the Kenya Red Cross Society Strategic Plan 2021-2025.