TURKANA COUNTY, Kenya (AP) — Prolonged drought has left millions of people struggling to find food and water in parts of northern Kenya, where livestock deaths have deepened the crisis for pastoral communities.
Images show residents lining up for food aid, sharing rations after distributions and children and women fetching scarce water for households and surviving animals.
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Locals share food rations distributed by World Vision Kenya as severe drought continues, in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
A woman stands beside her food ration after distribution of aid, in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
A man stands at a watering point with his camels, as residents rely on aid from World Vision and the World Food Programme in Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Locals share food rations distributed by World Vision Kenya as severe drought continues, in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Achukwa Lotukoi Nakine, 87, lies beside his grandson amid a prolonged drought in Nadunga Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Children walk across an open field carrying water amid a prolonged drought in Nadunga Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Locals share food rations distributed by World Vision Kenya as severe drought continues, in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Turkana women fetch water from a well in Lopii Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
World Vision Kenya humanitarian worker verifies food assistance details as people queue for aid as prolonged drought continues in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
An elderly Turkana woman covers herself from the hot sun after receiving her food ration, in Lomeluku Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
A child collects water from a well to quench livestock amid water shortage caused by prolonged drought in Lopii Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Locals queue to receive food aid as severe drought continues, in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
A child stands in front of food aid supplied by the World Food Programme (WFP) ahead of distribution in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
The northeastern regions, including areas near the Somali border, are among the hardest hit after repeated failed rainy seasons.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Locals share food rations distributed by World Vision Kenya as severe drought continues, in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
A woman stands beside her food ration after distribution of aid, in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
A man stands at a watering point with his camels, as residents rely on aid from World Vision and the World Food Programme in Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Locals share food rations distributed by World Vision Kenya as severe drought continues, in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Achukwa Lotukoi Nakine, 87, lies beside his grandson amid a prolonged drought in Nadunga Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Children walk across an open field carrying water amid a prolonged drought in Nadunga Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Locals share food rations distributed by World Vision Kenya as severe drought continues, in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Turkana women fetch water from a well in Lopii Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
World Vision Kenya humanitarian worker verifies food assistance details as people queue for aid as prolonged drought continues in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
An elderly Turkana woman covers herself from the hot sun after receiving her food ration, in Lomeluku Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
A child collects water from a well to quench livestock amid water shortage caused by prolonged drought in Lopii Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Locals queue to receive food aid as severe drought continues, in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
A child stands in front of food aid supplied by the World Food Programme (WFP) ahead of distribution in Nalemkais Village, Turkana County, Kenya, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi)
Thousands of Catholic devotees commemorated Good Friday across Latin America with processions and ceremonies re-enacting the crucifixion of Jesus.
In Antigua, a colonial-era city in southern Guatemala, dozens dressed in purple and white robes and made their way under the early morning sun, many of them penitents known as “cucuruchos.” Others carried centuries-old images of Jesus through cobblestone streets.
The city hosts more than a dozen processions throughout Holy Week, set against a backdrop of volcanoes.
Marcos Bautista, 63, said he has attended the Good Friday observances since his father brought him along as a baby in his arms.
“To describe Holy Week in Antigua, there are no words that can capture what it feels like," Bautista said. “It’s a feeling that, just by speaking about what Jesus has done in our lives, moves me deeply.”
In Bolivia, President Rodrigo Paz traveled to the southern city of Tarija to participate in Good Friday ceremonies.
The country is a secular state under its constitution and its leaders refrained from engaging in any religious events between 2006 and 2025. But Paz — who took office last November — broke with precedent by attending Palm Sunday Mass carrying a palm frond.
In the capital city of La Paz, local authorities and military bands accompanied Good Friday processions, in which hooded penitents carried the Holy Sepulcher through the streets.
Antonio Santamaría, who was holding an image of Jesus, said he welcomed the government’s presence. “I’m glad everyone is here now,” Santamaría said.
Bolivia remains a predominantly Catholic country, alongside strong Indigenous spiritual traditions. In some households, it is customary to eat only fish on Good Friday and prepare up to 12 dishes representing the apostles of Jesus, a tradition that has declined in recent years amid an economic crisis.
In Ecuador, where about 80% of the population identifies as Catholic, processions were held across major cities. In the capital, Quito, the “Jesús del Gran Poder” procession drew more than 150,000 faithful who filled the historic center’s streets with chants and prayers as they accompanied an image of Jesus carrying the cross.
Thousands more climbed the Monserrate Hill in neighboring Colombia. At more than 10,200 feet (3,100 meters) above sea level, they reached the summit in the capital city of Bogotá to attend Mass at the basilica. Similar observances, including reenactments of the Stations of the Cross, were held in other parts of the country.
Mexicans, too, celebrated Good Friday in a country that’s home to nearly 100 million Catholics.
Masked penitents, in chains and with pieces of cactus stuck to their skin, walked through the town of Atlixco, in the central state of Puebla. Known as the “Procession of the Chained," it’s part of a tradition in which some participants pay penance for their sins and others thank God for miracles.
“It’s very beautiful, very sad,” said Marcela Ramírez, a homemaker who attended the procession. “It’s a kind of reverence, and you have to come and accompany them.”
While the share of Catholics in Latin America has declined over the past decade, the faith remains the region’s largest religion.
In several countries, including Peru and Argentina, more than 60% of adults still identify as Catholic, according to 2024 surveys by the Pew Research Center and Latinobarómetro.
AP journalists Moisés Castillo in Antigua, Guatemala; Carlos Valdez and Juan Karita in La Paz, Bolivia; Gonzalo Solano and Gabriela Molina, in Quito, Ecuador; and Martín Silva in Atlixco, Mexico, contributed to this report.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
A penitents known as a "Veronica" takes part in the Jesus del Gran Poder procession in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa).
Hooded penitents known as "Cucuruchos" take part in the Jesus del Gran Poder procession in Quito, Ecuador, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa).
A blindfolded penitent wears a crown of thorns before a Good Friday procession during Holy Week celebrations in Atlixco, Mexico, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Chains drape over the Santa Muerte tattoo of a penitent before a Good Friday procession during Holy Week in Atlixco, Mexico, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
A penitent wearing chains and prickly cactus holds a photo on a cross at a Good Friday procession during Holy Week in Atlixco, Mexico, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Penitents from the Nazareno brotherhood carry a statue of Jesus down the steps of the Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle for a Good Friday procession during Holy Week in Tunja, Colombia, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
A hooded penitent from the Nazareno brotherhood waits for the Good Friday procession inside the Cathedral Basilica of St. James the Apostle during Holy Week in Tunja, Colombia, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Young women and girls carry jeweled hearts representing the Virgin Mary at a Good Friday procession during Holy Week in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Hooded penitents participate in a Good Friday procession during Holy Week in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
A statue of Jesus Christ with a cross makes its way past electric cables at La Merced church's Good Friday procession during Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Women carry children dressed as penitents knows as "cucuruchos" on the sidelines of La Merced church's Good Friday procession during Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Penitents carry statues of Jesus Christ representing the Stations of the Cross at a Good Friday procession by La Merced church during Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala, just before sunrise Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Musicians dressed as Roman soldiers take part in La Merced church's Good Friday procession during Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala, Friday, April 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
