The Special Funds Accounts Committee on Tuesday held a session at Bunge Towers to review the Auditor-General’s Report on the financial statements of the National Drought Emergency Fund covering financial years 2020/2021 to 2024/2025.
The meeting brought together officials led by Chief Executive Officer Mr Hared H. Adan, who appeared before Members to respond to questions on the Fund’s preparedness, resource adequacy and accountability in responding to drought emergencies across the country.
Concerns Raised on Emergency Preparedness and Funding
Lawmakers wanted to know if the Fund had enough funds to respond quickly to crises or whether it continues to rely on supplemental government assistance during emergencies.
In response, Mr Adan told the Committee that the Fund had resources set aside to deal with crises while also working on long-term mitigation plans to enhance resilience in drought-prone areas.
He pointed out that during the most recent drought, the Fund was able to satisfy basic humanitarian requirements for impacted populations, demonstrating operational preparedness in the face of conflicting economic demands.
He did, however, emphasize the significance of long-term investment to improve readiness and decrease future risk.
Questions on Allocation Criteria and Transparency
Committee Members further questioned the criteria used in allocating funds across different projects and regions, seeking transparency on prioritisation and distribution mechanisms.
Mr Adan explained that allocations are determined by the nature and scale of infrastructure or interventions required, with funding levels varying depending on the specific needs of each region.
He added that emergency response projects are assessed on urgency, impact and resource availability to ensure equitable distribution.
The CEO also appealed for continued support from stakeholders and policymakers to strengthen the Fund’s capacity to respond effectively to future drought emergencies and climate-related shocks.
He emphasised that climate variability continues to pose significant risks, requiring enhanced financing, coordination and preparedness measures at both national and county levels.
Committee Pushes for Stronger Oversight and Efficiency
The Committee reiterated the need for strengthened oversight and improved efficiency in the management of the Fund, noting that timely interventions are critical in mitigating the humanitarian impact of droughts.
Members also stressed the importance of aligning resource allocation with early warning systems and strengthening institutional coordination to avoid delays in response.
The session concluded with a commitment to further scrutiny of the Auditor-General’s findings as part of ongoing parliamentary oversight on emergency funds.
Further engagements are expected as the Committee continues its review process in coming sittings.
