Kenya: Electoral Violence
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KENYA: ELECTORAL VIOLENCE 24 January 2008 The Kenya Red Cross Society’s mission is to build capacity and respond with vigor, compassion and empathy to those affected by disaster and at risk, in the most effective and efficient manner. It works closely with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which is the world’s largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries. This Operations Update (no. 13/2008) reflects the information available at this time. Appeal History: • On 4th January 2008, the Kenya Red Cross Society issued a Preliminary Appeal No. 1/2008 for Ksh 957,127,906 (US$ 15.4 million) to assist 500,000 beneficiaries for one (1) month. Visit http://www.kenyaredcross.org for information on the appeal narrative and budge. For further information specifically related to this operation please contact: Mr. Abbas Gullet, Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society, Email; [email protected] Phone 254.20.60.35.93; 254.20.3950.000 Fax 254.20.60.35.89 Dr. James Kisia, Deputy Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society, Email; [email protected] Phone 254.20.60.35.93; 254.20.3950.000 Fax 254.20.60.35.89 Mr. Anthony Mwangi, Public Relations Manager, Kenya Red Cross Society, Email; [email protected] Phone 254.20.60.35.93; 254.20.3950.000 Fax 254.20.60.35.89 All Kenya Red Cross Society assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning the Kenya Red Cross Society programmes or operations, or for a full description of the Society’s profile, please access the Kenya Red Cross Society Website at http://www.kenyaredcross.org or the Federation’s Website at http://www.ifrc.org Operational Summary Kenya Red Cross personnel continue to distribute relief food and non-food items in partnership with other organisations and agencies. With donations being received on a daily basis from the corporate sector and international donors, the Kenya Red Cross is able to respond effectively to assist thousands of people affected and displaced. Kenya Red Cross continues to gain access to areas and major roads that have been blockaded by youth. This is an indication of the National Society’s impartiality and neutrality in its operations. The National Society has been disseminating the fundamental principles and other Red Cross Movement values during relief distribution and other opportunities. As the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) keeps fluctuating constantly, Kenya Red Cross watches the situation closely to determine the next course of action. The Secretary General has been leading a strong team of personnel countrywide in responding effectively to the needs of the displaced people. The National Society continues to distribute relief food and non-food items, as well as provide water, sanitation, psychosocial support, tracing services and other essential services. The National Society has taken a lead role in the emergency response. Kenya: Electoral Violence Operations Update No. 13/2008 Situation In Nyanza region, the number of IDPs is varying from time to time. 84 people are camped at a transit point at Ikonge D.O’s office in Nyamira, while four unaccompanied minors have been documented. The IDP population in Busia police station has gone up due to the return of the Kenyan refugees from Uganda on 23rd January 2008. In Sotik Borabo border, 20 houses were burnt and 13 families displaced. There is an influx of IDPs to the Nakuru ASK showground, hence the need for various basic amenities such as food, blankets and mattresses. In addition, emergency classrooms for the unaccompanied minors were in the process of utilization. Some centres countrywide are experiencing an increase in the number of IDPs, while others have noted a shape decrease as IDPs move to other areas. These centres include Turbo with 50 more families and Mumias with 20 families. The IDPs cannot freely move outside the camp because of hostility. Endebes continues to be tense with fighting reported between the security forces and protesters in Salama on 22nd January 2008. The IDPs in Endebes have increased from 420 to 851 translating to a population of 3,936. Increased tension is still high between two communities in Kimabole and Kikai centre that borders Bungoma and Mt. Elgon districts. In North Rift, there are a total of 48,000 IDPs in 73 camps. There has been tension in Burnt Forest and Emumbi in Uasin Gishu, following an incident in which cattle were stolen on 23rd January 2008. In South Rift, 79,425 IDPs are camped in 108 centres. At Baraka, houses were burnt overnight and casualties reported, but the exact number of people affected has not been ascertained. There is a lot of tension on the ground. The main highway has been blocked. In the Western region, over 250 houses were burnt down. 12,559 IDPs are moving to areas in Central region, including Thika, Kiambu, Murang’a, Maragua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua and Laikipia. The details are as below: Area IDPS Thika 2,183 Kirinyaga 25 Murang’a 20 Maragua 600 Nyeri 1,061 Nyandarua 7,570 Laikipia 1,100 Total 12,559 In Nairobi and its environs, an emergency meeting was called by the District Commissioner, Nairobi West area, to allow for talks between camp stakeholders and the government to address the closure of IDP camp in phases. The formal closure date of Jamhuri Park camp was 23rd January 2008. IDPs continue to exit, some of them being refugees sent to Kakuma Refugee Camp. There are about 50 families camping at St. Benedict Church in Ruaraka along Thika Road. Another 150 families are camping at the Soul of Mercy Academy in Kariobangi South and 300 families at Huruma chief’s camp. At the Kirathimo Red Cross Centre in Limuru, there are 322 IDPs, whereas Tigoni has about 74 IDPs. All camps have been closed at the Coast province. As a result of this an assessment was conducted by Kenya Red Cross to ascertain the number and condition of those affected. The team is doing this exercise in liaison with the Mombasa and Kilindini District Commissioners. Statistics indicate that there are 272 families in Kilindini and 351 families in Mombasa. 2 Kenya: Electoral Violence Operations Update No. 13/2008 Red Cross Action – objectives and progress Goal: To provide emergency relief services to 500,000 people to mitigate the impact of post-election conflict. Objective 1: To provide Non-Food items to IDPs as a result of election violence. Progress An assessment conducted by the Kenya Red Cross regional office on the informal settlement population in Nyanza/Western indicates that there are a number of people who have been highly affected by the post election violence and are in great need of food. A rapid assessment is currently being done in Nyeri North and will be concluded on 28th January 2008. This exercise is meant to ascertain the exact number of people displaced in Central region and distribute food rations for a week. In North Rift, a total of 1,183 MT of food and 8,069 non-food items were distributed. The second cycle of food distribution in North Rift region began with 1,213 MT distributed to date. This will continue at ASK showground on 24th January 2008. In South Rift, 578 MT of food has been distributed from this region. A team has been sent to Molo, Mau Summit, Jogoo and Total to assess the situation on the ground. Food distribution started on 23rd January 2008 and will continue to cover 173 freshly displaced people. Food distribution is also ongoing at Gachora. In Turbo, distribution of non-food items to 200 families and 8 bales of baby kits are in progress. In Malaba, the distribution of non-food items is ongoing for 215 families. At the Coast, a meeting has been scheduled between Rotary Club of Pwani and Kenya Red Cross, to hand over relief donations to Kenya Red Cross personnel. Food distribution has been temporarily rescheduled until statistics of IDPs within the districts are established. There is a plan to distribute food aid to 2,510 people. Mobilization of more food aid is being done from local donors. Constraints In Nyanza, relief distribution was called off on 24th January 2008 in Gunyak, Kericho District, due to skirmishes that hit the area. The relief food was later returned to Nyando Branch pending a re-scheduling of the distribution. In a number of areas, the daily increase in the number of IDPs is posing a problem, as it requires constant assessment. Housing for the IDPs is a challenge as they are living in congested quarters. It has been difficult verifying the genuine IDPs from those seeking free meals at IDP camps. Objective 2: Provide Search and Rescue (SAR) to cut-off communities. Progress Volunteers evacuated ten casualties to Molo hospital after offering First Aid treatment. The injuries included mainly minor cuts. A lady delivered a few days ago and could not access health services. Objective 3: Provide Restoration of Family Links. Progress The Tracing team is cooperating with Tororo Branch of Uganda Red Cross in Tracing Kenyans that have crossed into Uganda. Bungoma and Tororo Branches have enjoyed good relations for a long time. A number of families are being re-united through the Tracing programme. In South Rift, eight volunteers are involved in Tracing services. 21 requests for Tracing services were collected in South Rift and one unaccompanied minor registered. In Limuru, 16 Tracing volunteers were involved in the activity.