1. EMOP Introduction The food security situation in the diocese has worsened following the failure of two consecutive rains and Post election violence which affected some parts of the country. Due to the shortage the price of food items has high rocketed beyond the reach of the common person.   The long rains assessment (LRA) conducted in July 2008 recommended an extension phase of Emergency Operations programme (EMOP) which started in October 2008 and was to end in March 2009 but fortunately it was extended by one month to April 30  as we wait for the short rains assessment (SRA) report.   The programme is targeting 38,717 beneficiaries which is equivalent to 6453 households in nine out of the ten divisions of the larger Kitui district namely: Yatta, Mutito, Mwitika, Mutomo, Ikutha, Mutha, Matinyani, Mutonguni and Central divisions.   The programme is funded by the World Food Programme (WFP) together with the Government of Kenya (GoK) and is monitored by eight field staffs in close collaboration with the line ministries staff.    Activities The beneficiaries are required to create assets which can improve the food security situation in their areas. Most of the projects that they chose to work on included Terracing, manuring, planting of trees etc. Each house hold is supposed to produce one member to work on an agreed work norm per day for twelve days in a month.   Rations Each household is entitled to a monthly food basket of 50% daily requirement of 41.2 kgs of cereals, 7.2 kgs of pulses and 2.4 kgs of vegetable oil.   Challenges The number of beneficiaries targeted is a drop in the sea compared to the number of people who are vulnerable.   Some the projects they chose to work on require technical expertise which some times is lacking or it is beyond reach of the common person   Digging tools are also a challenge especially where the world food programme has not supplied   Political interference – they claim food is for all and not for the target group and this brings a lot of mis-understanding.    2. INTERGRATED FOOD SECURITY AND IMPROVED WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME This is a five year term project in Nuu parish and aims at improving food security situation and water management to 1250 households at the end of the programme. The programme targets 5 out of 7 sub locations of Nuu Division. This programme is funded by friends of kitui from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis through the catholic Relief Services   Three members of staff closely monitor implementation of this project.   Activities Construction of earthdam through voucher for work system   Construction of soil and water conservation structures through voucher for work system. Construction of arberloo toilets in their homesteads Promotion of drought resistance crops  Promotion of high value crops in the area formation of groups and promotion of producer marketing groups Challenges 1.      Distances from one homestead to the other are so immense that to select the central point for the earthdam is very difficulty 2.      Lack of proper digging tools contributed to delayed implementation of the projects. 3.      Delayed transfer of funds hence delayed implementation of activities. 4.      Uncooperative leaders of the area.