UNITED NATIONS

HUMANITARIAN UPDATE vol. 7 February 23-27, 2008

Office of the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in

HIGHLIGHTS • African Union mediator suspends talks with mediation teams; negotiations continue with principles from both parties. • Security situation generally calm but localized incidents of violence are reported • UNHCR to begin profiling IDP groups • Nutritional screening of all IDP camps a high priority • Humanitarian agencies begin to prepare IDP camps for the rainy season

The information contained in this report has been compiled by OCHA from information received from the field, from national and international humanitarian partners and from other official sources. It does not represent a position from the United Nations.

I. General Overview

African Union mediator Kofi Annan suspended talks on Tuesday to end Kenya’s political crisis, saying the top leadership of the Party of National Unity and the Orange Democratic Movement must now negotiate directly to break the present lack of progress.

Annan, representing Africa’s foremost political body, the African Union, has been trying to broker a peace deal to reconcile the nation over the disputed results of December’s presidential election. The disputed results, buttressed by mutual accusations of cheating, resulted in violence in which some 1,000 people died and an estimated 500,000 displaced.

There is concern that the suspended talks, in conjunction with possible IDP fatigue, could trigger new movements or place new burdens on humanitarian operations. While some of the displaced persons have moved to ethnically homogeneous areas, and others have found refuge with host families in areas they consider safe, humanitarian aid personnel say that hundreds of thousands remain in IDP camps awaiting the outcome of the political talks before deciding on either returning to their original areas or relocating.

Efforts are underway by UNHCR and the to understand and track IDPs better. UNHCR will begin to conduct profiling of IDP groups in order to understand the beneficiary population, which has been difficult to categorize given the broad range of social and economic status as well as ethnic affiliation. At the same time, the government, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, is beginning to register all IDPs at the provincial level to try to avoid previous discrepancies in IDP figures.

Humanitarian aid agencies are beginning to prepare for the rainy season in March. The Logistics Cluster in the town of , which hosts one of the largest IDP camps, has begun to map areas in the region that will be difficult to reach or inaccessible once the rains start, in order to target them first with distributions.

II. Humanitarian Situation

- Security 1

Relief workers have continued to gain increased access to affected areas, as order has now been relatively well restored to most areas and security escorts have been reduced. Despite the relative calm tension exists due to the opposition ODM party’s threats of “mass action”, should the talks fail. remains calm for now, but it is feared that the many youth milling around the streets would respond immediately to an opposition call to protest.

The Mount Elgon area remains tense due to leaflets circulated recently telling people of a certain ethnic group to leave within six days. The threats have been linked to the Sabaot Land Defence Force, which has been active in the area even long before the present political crisis, and has been terrorizing neighbouring and Trans Nzoia districts. Police arrested some 203 armed men Tuesday found training on a farm sanctuary in Trans Nzoia.

Eldoret and its environments remains calm and police are conducting patrols. Roads leading into and out of the town remain open. is also calm and the public is moving about freely.

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported last week including three deaths and house burnings in Molo District (). On 26 Feb, WFP acting on the recommendation of police in Eldoret, halted planned distributions south-west of Eldoret due to heightened tensions.

On 21 Feb, the International Crisis Group (ICG) issued a report titled "Kenya in Crisis" which refers to mobilization of armed groups in Kenya expressing concerns of possible flare-ups of violence if peace talks fail to solve the post-election crisis. The ICG called for legal, electoral and constitutional reforms and for aid to be conditional on a peaceful result.

The UN Department of Safety and Security has established security management teams in Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu and have deployed Field Security Coordination Officers whose contacts are given below. Working under the framework of Saving Lives Together, an initiative that provides for collaboration between UN and NGO actors on security in the field. There are 35 NGOs participating with UN agencies in field security management. UN DSS is also responding to requests for security assessments for areas of humanitarian operations and have just completed such an assessment in District. Other assessments are ongoing in parts of and they have looking into assessments in Coast Province, especially in .

Location FSCO Telephone Eldoret Thomas +254 (0)728-604-375 Acheampong Kisumu Lars Seifert +254 (0)728-604-374

-Population Movements and Displacement Trends Some of the displaced persons have moved to ethnically homogeneous areas, others have found refuge with host families in areas they consider safe. According to the Kenya Red Cross, more than 300,000 persons remain in around 300 IDP camps in Rift Valley, , Nyanza, Western and Central Provinces. Many of these await the outcome of the political talks before deciding on either returning to their original areas or in relocating to other areas. IDPs with weak links to areas termed “ancestral homes” are not being very welcomed and some have returned to IDP camps.

Since the beginning of the crisis, an unknown number of IDPs relocated to areas of ancestral origin or sought refuge with host families. For example, close to 11,000 IDPs have passed through the Kisumu transit point on the way to their ancestral lands, while in Kisii Nyanza more than 45,000 IDPs are reported mainly living in host families. The Red Cross and the Provincial Food Committee are evaluating the possibility of providing a one or two-week take home ration to transiting families in Kisumu. With the ongoing relocation of IDPs, some factors 2 are emerging that determine whether IDPs return to areas of origin or relocate. These factors include experience of being driven from ones home, social, economic and marital status as well as ethnic affiliation. IDPs have been difficult to categorize, given the broad groups of people already defined by the aforementioned. Therefore, UNHCR is going to conduct profiling of IDP groups so that it can better understand the beneficiary population.

There are also discrepancies in IDP numbers. Some figures include significant numbers of displaced persons living within host communities. Therefore, the government is now registering all IDPs through the provincial administration to end this inconsistency. However, there is doubt that the numbers produced this way will be complete as provincial administrations are further removed from direct contact with local residents than are traditional leaders. Hence, stakeholders are asking for involvement in the process.

III. Humanitarian Response

- CCCM, Protection and Shelter, NFI At the request of the government, the cluster has drafted a “Durable Solutions Framework” intended to guide agency planning for supporting national efforts at the return, relocation and local integration of IDPs when conditions are appropriate. While the draft is under review by all agencies, and will be discussed further with the government during the week, it is clear that due to the ongoing political crisis it is too early to organize or encourage durable solutions for the IDPs, and more focus will be given to the IDPs in current locations of displacement.

The plight of 473 IDPs living at the Bahati Police Station in Nakuru has also been a concern for UNHCR, which reported on 22 Feb that IDPs had not received maize meal, and that there were inadequate firewood and latrines. It is reported that food shortages have forced some IDPs to try to return to their farms in the area, but there have been reports of attacks and injuries, particularly in the Solai area.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has supported the first government-led peace and reconciliation meeting with Marakwet leaders and community members at Cheptabot. The IRC has also complete comprehensive gender-based violence assessments in areas in which it operates, to develop an appropriate programmatic response.

The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, aided by UNHCR and the Protection Working Group in Eldoret, is conducting training in North Rift on gender-based violence and response.

- Shelter & NFIs According to a UNHCR assessment of the IDP situation in Kisumu carried out 20-25 Feb, IDPs there are still facing major challenges. Some IDPs, unwelcome in their “ancestral homes”, are being forced to return to IDP camps. Others who found shelter with host families have insufficient food supplies, and some have not been receiving any rations at all.

The International Rescue Committee has trained 45 Kenya Red Cross volunteers on safe and ethical distribution mechanisms, which includes introduction of distribution guides and post distribution monitoring forms.

- Logistics The dispatch of humanitarian commodities was suspended on Thursday because of anticipated mass action demonstrations. The suspension was deemed necessary to avoid roadblocks, looting and possible police confrontation with demonstrators.

In the Port of Mombasa, only one bulk cargo is awaiting discharge. There are no container ships waiting but there are 9,643 containers to be cleared, down from 13,664 on 20 Feb. Over the next week, some 14 conventional ships, 14 cargo vessels and eight fuel tankers are expected at the port.

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Exports of fuel to neighbouring countries have decreased, possibly due to lower demand. Burundi, for example, has begun obtaining fuel from Tanzania, although it is unclear why as there are no delays at Mombasa port and no security incidents reported recently.

Truck availability has been low at times because of longer goods delivery turn-around times. Transporters say that before the political crisis they used to make four runs each month to Kampala, Uganda, whereas now, they manage two or three. Since the escorted convoys started, there have been far fewer road accidents, most likely because truckers have been forced to drive more slowly.

The Nakuru to Kisumu railway line resumed cargo and passenger operations on 18 Feb and, as a result, demand for transport of cargo is high. Rail operator Rift Valley Railways is short of locomotives and wagons to meet this demand since only half its 2,000-wagon fleet is operational due to the lack of spare parts. However, 10 additional heavy locomotives are due in the country in six months and that should ease the pressure.

- Health The provision of health care remains a challenge as IDPs move out of camps to host communities. The top priority needs are essential medicines; access to healthcare professionals; and increased availability and security of health staff.

A looming waste disposal problem at the Eldoret Showground IDP camp needs the involvement of the municipality to resolve the issue. Pit latrines are only 2.40 metres deep and with the rains expected in two to three weeks there is fear of a possibility of a cholera outbreak among the 14,000 IDPs, unless they are moved to higher ground. The district officer and Kenya Red Cross have been tasked to take up the matter with the municipality and the Uasin Gishu District commissioner.

UNHCR has announced it would provide 50-square-metre tents for IDPs relocating to higher ground during the rains. In addition, the Red Cross has provided tarpaulins for up to 10,000 households.

At the national level, health problems in the camps include upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhoea and fevers such as malaria. Malnutrition in children under five years old has also been reported and a newly emerging problem of alcoholism and domestic violence has also been reported in the camps.

- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

The government’s consolidation of IDPs into sites will simplify the task of providing water, sanitation and hygiene but the influx into these camps, above the designed holding capacity, is straining pre-installed water, sanitation and hygiene services.

• Moreover, 50% of IDPs are still living outside the consolidation camps. They are either in their original camps often in poor sanitary conditions, or in host communities that have had little assistance so far. • In Central Province, there are reportedly 55,000 IDPs of which only 3,000 are living in camp settings. This highlights the difficulties for providing adequate water and sanitation for all IDPs. • Schools that are hosting large numbers of displaced children are exhibiting signs of overload where the existing water and sanitation facilities cannot meet the expanded needs. • Although water and sanitation needs are largely being met in camp settings, they often fall short of SPHERE standards. Every effort is being made to improve this situation, despite the enormous challenges posed by constant population movements and the establishment and dismantling of IDP sites. Important gaps are, however, noted in the areas of hygiene promotion, latrine cleaning, solid waste disposal and site drainage.

- Food Aid In its food distribution in northern Rift Valley Province, WFP is facing the problem of fluctuating IDPs numbers, especially in Burnt Forest. As a result, it is difficult to target the needy. To tackle this problem, the Kenya Red Cross is suggesting a “robust tool” for identification of those genuinely needing help. 4

- Nutrition Nutritional screening of all IDP camps remains a high priority. Of the 14,194 children that have already been examined, 997 are moderately malnourished and 155 severely malnourished. The Nutrition Cluster has noted an increase in the numbers of children with moderate malnutrition, particularly in the Rift Valley.

IDPs are increasingly straining the food, water and sanitation situations in host communities. In particular, there is rising concern about the food security situation in the Rift Valley, Western and Nyanza provinces. Seeds are available to farmers but because most are IDPs, they are unable to take advantage of this facility now that the planting season has started.

There is also concern that the IDPs who are planning to return to their ancestral homes where they do not own land, rather than to their original places of residence, will not be in a position to produce food either.

On 21 Feb, the Danish Refugee Council and CARE jointly distributed seed kits to 200 families in Nyalenda, Kisumu. The following day, 400 families in received Georgia collards, California peppers, butternut squash and watermelon seeds.

The Ministry of Health, in possible conjunction with International Relief Development, is working to implement a minimum nutrition package in Central, Nyanza and Western provinces; and in , and Tigoni to help with training on management of acute malnutrition.

The proposed minimum nutrition package consists of a two-fold intervention: 1) Assessment, surveillance and monitoring; 2) Screening/active case finding, management of acute malnutrition and capacity building.

New partners have shown interest in supporting further nutrition. It has been proposed that Save the Children Fund covers assessments, surveillance and monitoring in most of the affected areas, and that International Relief Development focuses on areas not yet covered in Central, Nyanza and Western provinces. The uncovered areas have not yet been identified. International Medical Corps will focus on Uasin Gishu and in Nairobi for screening, management and capacity building.

Samaritan Purse is sending a team this week to Trans Nzoia district to prepare for their interventions with the Ministry of Health and start active case finding.

Nyanza and Western Provinces Close to 11,000 IDPs have passed through the Kisumu transit point on the way to their ancestral lands and, as a result, the Red Cross and the Provincial Food Committee are evaluating the possibility of providing a one or two-week take home ration to those families in the city.

North Rift • A plan has recently been developed for the third distribution of relief items to 88,500 IDPs at 85 sites in 10 districts.

South Rift There are approximately 76,000 IDPs hosted in camps in the South Rift. IDPs continue to move from small camps to established ones in Molo, Nakuru and Naivasha because of better services and security. The government has ordered all camps hosting fewer than 3,000 closed and the IDPs to be moved into the consolidated facilities.

- Malnutrition Management Training Training by the Ministry of Health and UNICEF in the management of acute severe malnutrition will be completed this week in Nairobi and Kisumu, and next week in Kakamage and Eldoret. The ministry and

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UNICEF will develop additional job aids on management of moderate malnutrition that should be included in the next training sessions, in order to improve quality of ongoing supplementary feeding activities.

The district nutritionist and UNICEF blocked the distribution of infant formula donated by an organization in Burnt Forest, in light of the government and UNICEF’s campaign to encourage breastfeeding. This highlights the need to disseminate policy guidelines and fact sheets about infant feeding practices to all humanitarian actors.

A UNICEF field nutritionist will arrive in Eldoret this week to stay for three months. Additional field nutritionists will soon arrive to cover Nakuru, Western and Nyanza provinces.

At a meeting chaired by the Ministry of Health on 22 Feb, the UN and NGOs reported on their training activities for those in charge of IDPs in food preparation.

- Education The educational system in politically volatile parts of the country has been severely disrupted by the displacement of students and teachers. There is a shortage of teachers, textbooks, furniture, tents and toilets for the many camps hosting IDP students. Many IDP children are still not attending school, mainly because of fear and money difficulties. The Ministry of Education announced Sunday that 2.9 billion Kenya shillings (about $43 million) earmarked two weeks ago for free secondary schooling had still not been released. Secondary schools often lack money for regular supplies, in particular those schools hosting IDP students.

In addition, the Ministry of Education is concerned that school-age children who took part in the violence are now joining militia groups. As a response, UNICEF is developing strategies to help youth tackle important issues, including good decision-making.

As part of a flash appeal, UNICEF’s Education and Protection Unit and Save the Children are preparing to offer psychosocial support to teachers and children in light of reports that violence from the street has now transferred into many schools.

On 22 Feb, the Education Cluster presented its 825-million-shilling (about US $12.2 million) recovery plan to the Ministry of Education. The plan includes emergency education, early childhood development and teacher training.

Nyanza

The NGO Daraja held an education symposium last week with good representation and attendance from the education sector. Presentations highlighted the impacts of the current crisis and the need for immediate action. Discussions clarified the role of civil society in supporting advocacy in the response. The group encourages a massive “Back to School” campaign and peace-building initiatives.

IV. Funding Updates: • DFID confirmed that on 22 Feb it would provide Action Aid half of its six-million-shilling (about $89,066) required for emergency protection interventions schedule to take place by the end of March. • On 22 Feb, the Education Cluster presented its 825-million-shilling (about $12.2 million) recovery plan and budget to the Ministry of Education. The plan includes emergency education, early childhood development, and teacher training among other expenditure categories. • Funding updates by sector and by donor are represented in the tables below.

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Sector Amount USD Donor Amount Food 10,169,010 pledged Shelter and NFI 2,146,489 USD Water and sanitation 1,454,768 AUSAID 1,000,000 Health 1,897,947 Canada 4,208,000 Nutrition 0 CERF 7,022,854 Camp Coordination and 504,867 Church World Service 280,000 Camp Management Denmark 934,000 Protection 920,592 DFID 4,143,160 Early Recovery 100,000 ECHO 8,044,030 Coordination 100,000 France 1,024,022 Emergency 0 German Development Cooperation 1,700,000 Telecommunication Japan 4,322,657 Logistics 443,868 Korea 200,000 Un earmarked 23,350,395 Norway 2,179,040 Total 41,287,933 Spain 1,000,000 UNICEF Emergency Fund 400,000 USAID 4,830,170 Total 41,287,933

For more information, please contact: Jeanine Cooper: Head of OCHA Kenya, +254 (20)7625155, [email protected] ;

Rania Dagash, Desk Officer, Africa I Section, OCHA-New York: +1 917 367 3668, [email protected]

Stephanie Bunker, Public Information Officer, OCHA-New York: +1 917 367 5126, +1 917 892 1679 (mobile), [email protected] ;

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