World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought

The World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) is celebrated every year on the 17th day of June to mark the day the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was adopted in Paris, France, in 1994.

The theme for this year’s event as agreed upon by the national committee is “Conserving Our Land for Sustainable Livelihoods” and the slogan as put out by the UNCCD is “Our Land. Our home. Our Future”. The event was held at Hulahula Catholic Church grounds, Saku Sub-county of Marsabit County on 17th June 2017.

CS Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Prof Judi Wakhungu launching the procession at Marsabit

These draw our attention to the central role productive land can play in turning the growing tide of migrants abandoning unproductive land into communities and nations that are stable, secure and sustainable, into the future. Consistence with the aspirations of WDCD on raising awareness about combating desertification, land degradation and mitigating the effects of drought through integrated approaches, this year’s national (Kenya) commemoration of the WDCD on 17th June, 2017 will be held at Hulahula Catholic Church grounds, Saku Sub-county of Marsabit County.

NEMA Board Chairman, Mr. John Konchellah making his remarks during the WDCD celebrations at Marsabit County. 

Marsabit County which is one of the largest County in Kenya, present a region characterized by fast emerging desert, land degradation and severe droughts where efforts to combat desertification, land degradation and mitigating effects of drought through integrated approaches are required for enhancing community livelihoods and resilience. Commemorating the WDCD at Marsabit County will therefore provide an opportunity for sensitizing stakeholders on these challenges for investments to combat desertification, land degradation and mitigate effects drought in this vast landscape.

Commemorating WDCD will also contribute in fulling the national obligation to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Hulahula Catholic Church grounds site was selected because is easily accessible, has enough land where tree seedlings can be planted during the national commemoration to contribute in combating desertification and has plenty of space for hosting people during the commemoration.

NEMA Director General, Prof Geoffrey Wahungu making his remarks during the WDCD celebrations 

The preparation of the WDCD is being undertaken by the National Steering Committee (NSC) comprised of stakeholders from public, private and public benefits organizations coordinated by the National Environment Management Authority Headquarters (NEMA) and local committee comprised of stakeholders from Marsabit County coordinated by the NEMA County Director of Environment at Marsabit County.

WDCD 2017 SPEECHES

WDCD 2017 CABINET SECRETARY JUDI WAKHUNGU MENR SPEECH

NEMA DIRECTOR GENERAL PROF GEOFFREY WAHUNGU WDCD 2017 SPEECH

PS STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONNEMENT CHARLES SUNKULI WDCD 2017 Speech

NEMA CHAIRMAN, MR JOHN KONCHELLAH-WDCD 2017 SPEECH