Photos show hunger and water scarcity as drought grips northern Kenya

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.

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)

LONDON, RIYADH, Saudi Arabia & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 10, 2026--

Vertical Aerospace (“Vertical” or the “Company”) [NYSE:EVTL], a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, today announced the signing of a strategic three-party Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with Abdel Hadi Abdullah Al-Qahtani & Sons Group of Companies (Tariq Al-Qahtani & Brothers) (“AHQ Group”), a leading Saudi industrial conglomerate, and the Saudi National Industrial Development Centre (“NIDC”), part of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260210942356/en/

The MoU, signed in Riyadh, establishes a framework to explore the development of a long-term Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aligned with Vision 2030, the country’s national programme to diversify its economy and build advanced industrial capability.

Building an AAM ecosystem aligned with Vision 2030

Under the MoU, the parties will evaluate a broad set of opportunities spanning manufacturing localization, commercial eVTOL operations and potential investment and incentive opportunities, supporting Vertical’s certification programme and long-term growth. Saudi Arabia represents one of the largest and most attractive emerging markets for AAM globally, with the potential to support the operation of over 1,000 Valo aircraft – Vertical’s industry leading commercial aircraft.

As a leading Saudi industrial group, AHQ Group will support the evaluation of industrial, commercial and investment structures required to establish a scalable and sustainable AAM ecosystem in the Kingdom.

Together, Vertical, AHQ Group and NIDC will explore how Saudi Arabia can become a regional hub for electric aircraft manufacturing, battery systems and AAM services, supporting Vision 2030’s ambitions for industrial diversification, highly skilled job creation and clean transport.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said: “Saudi Arabia is one of the most strategically important future markets for Advanced Air Mobility. Signing this MoU here in Riyadh reflects the Kingdom’s ambition to build a world-class aerospace industrial capability under Vision 2030. Partnering with AHQ Group and NIDC brings together deep industrial expertise, capital strength and a shared commitment to establishing Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in this new sector.”

Chairman Tariq Abdel Hadi Al-Qahtani, AHQ Group, said: “Advanced Air Mobility represents a new frontier for Saudi Arabia’s industrial and mobility ambitions. Through this MoU with Vertical Aerospace and NIDC, we are exploring potential investment opportunities to build a scalable, globally competitive AAM ecosystem that combines advanced manufacturing, sustainable mobility and long-term economic value. AHQ Group brings deep industrial experience and local insight, and we see this partnership as an important step in supporting Vision 2030’s goals for diversification, innovation and high-quality job creation.”

Eng Saleh Al Solami, CEO of the National Industrial Development Centre (NIDC), added: “This MoU reflects NIDC’s mandate to enable advanced industries and attract high-value manufacturing to the Kingdom. Advanced Air Mobility has the potential to become a strategic industrial sector for Saudi Arabia, spanning aircraft manufacturing, battery systems and future mobility services. Working with Vertical Aerospace and AHQ Group allows us to assess potential pathways for localisation, investment and incentives, positioning the Kingdom as a regional hub for next-generation aerospace technologies in line with Vision 2030.”

Valo - engineered for the region

Valo will be Vertical’s certification electric aircraft, designed to fly up to 160km at speeds of 240 km/h with zero operating emissions and engineered to meet airliner-level safety standards. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility.

Valo has been engineered to operate in hot, high-demand environments, making it particularly well-suited to Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region. Key characteristics include:

About Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel. Valo is a piloted, four-passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the Advanced Air Mobility market.

Vertical combines partnerships with leading aerospace companies, including Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, with its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world’s most advanced and safest eVTOL.

Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of Valo, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines. Certain customer obligations are expected to be fulfilled via third-party agreements. Headquartered in Bristol, UK, Vertical’s experienced leadership team comes from top-tier aerospace and automotive companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM, and Leonardo. Together, they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to Vertical’s current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the expected benefits of the Memorandum of Understanding by and among Vertical, Abdel Hadi Abdullah Al-Qahtani & Sons Group of Companies and the Saudi National Industrial Development Centre disclosed herein, including a framework to explore the development of a long-term Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the design and manufacture of Valo, including its operations in hot climates, the features and capabilities of Valo and the hybrid-electric variant, expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including the building and testing of Vertical’s prototype aircrafts on timelines projected, completion of the piloted test programme phases, selection of suppliers, certification and the commercialization of Valo and the hybrid-electric variant, and Vertical’s ability to achieve regulatory certification of Vertical’s aircraft products on any particular timeline or at all, the transition towards a net-zero emissions economy, Vertical’s ability and plans to raise additional capital to fund Vertical’s operations, Vertical’s plans to mitigate the risk that we are unable to continue as a going concern, Vertical’s plans for capital expenditures, as well as statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “will,” “aim,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements reflect Vertical’s current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation, the important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Vertical's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 11, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in Vertical’s other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Vertical disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this release whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.

Vertical Aerospace CEO Stuart Simpson with executive leadership from AHQ Group and NIDC at the MOU signing in Riyadh.