Female soldiers serving in the Kenyan contingent of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have launched an initiative to support families affected by drought in southern region, the AU mission said on Sunday.

Dickson Ruto, commander of AMISOM Kenyan contingent said that his troops would partner with community-based organizations to deliver food and medical services to families in need.

“There is a serious drought across Somalia. It is important that we focus on the less privileged, particularly widows, orphans, and internally displaced persons who don’t have enough food at this very critical moment,” Ruto said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The troops have so far distributed rice, sugar, beans, biscuits, fruit and other food items to about 150 households. Most of the beneficiaries were widows, orphans, and the elderly.

Ruto said the AMISOM female troops would jointly implement the initiative with their female counterparts in the Somali National Army (SNA) and Jubbaland state security forces.

Lynette Rachi, who commanded the females within the AMISOM Kenyan contingent, said the food donation would offer relief to vulnerable families, especially mothers, affected by the drought conditions.

"At the end of the day, all that a mother needs is to put food on the table for her children. So, the little we were able to get from the AMISOM headquarters, we were happy to share and have a great day together,"Rachi said.

Siyad Mohamed Hassan, Administrator of Dhobley Town called for more cooperation between AMISOM and local authorities in order to secure and help develop the area.

"We request that such efforts should not stop here. We should collaborate and participate in other areas such as public health and sanitation, sports, education, and rehabilitation of our roads," added Siyad.