UNITED NATIONS

HUMANITARIAN UPDATE vol. 18 1 – 9 May 2008

Office of the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in

HIGHLIGHTS

 15,000 IDPs return home as government launches resettlement operation  Food crisis looms as inflation nears 27%  Government agrees to new IDP registration format  Water and sanitation provision stabilizes in most camps  Second phase of teacher training on peace education completed

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 The government of Kenya launched a “resettlement” program on 5 May, Operation Rudi Nyumbani in an effort to return Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their home areas. The first phase of the operation is targeting IDPs in Trans Nzoia and Molo districts, building on trends of large numbers of IDPs spontaneously returning to their farms over the past two months. Some 15,000 people had been transported to their home areas by 9 May. Uasin Gishu and Districts are slated for the second phase. Concerns have been expressed by many IDPs residing in camps as well as by members of the international communityonthe lack of consultations and planning with stakeholders prior to the operation.

The official start of the return operation followed a three-day tour of by President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga that ended on 26 April. They encouraged communities to reconcile so that the displaced could return to their homes and farms, a measure that could help soften the impact of the looming food crisis. The early stages of implementation of the resettlement illustrated some of the challenges faced by Provincial and District Commissioners to meet the needs of displaced persons and ensure their security and led to greater prudence and consultation in subsequent days. By 7 May, the operation had slowed due to the recognized need for more planning in many Fig. 1: IDPs depart Geta Farms. places of displacement. The District Commissioner (DC) of Uasin Gishu District, for example, implemented a more cautious and consultative return exercise where food and relief items were solicited and in place prior to commencement on Friday May 9th. Instead of using military vehicles for the operation, a practice that was criticized for the effective intimidation that military presence lent to the exercise, the KRCS provided the transportation to pre-assessed areas of return.

The government maintains that all resettlement efforts will be voluntary and reports suggest that the process has been largely based on the principle of voluntariness, building on pre-existing trends of spontaneous returns to farms where many have managed to cultivate their land. The Minister of Special Programmes assured IDPs that they could stay in camps until peace talks had been undertaken with local communities in areas of return. However, some coercion has been reported in specific camps by particular local authorities. Furthermore, the involvement of the military in the operation had added psychological pressure on IDPs to return in areas like trans Nzoia and Molo. Due to the sudden and expedited nature of the operation and lack of clear information about the operation and conditions in places of return, IDPs’ ability to make informed decisions about their choice to return may have been compromised.

Mirroring the global food crisis, food prices continued to increase over the week, and inflation in April reached 26.6%, up from 21.8% in March. Inflation is largely being felt in food prices, which have increased by at least 30% in the past six months in Kenya. If food prices are excluded, inflation actually fell marginally to 9.6%. The government predicts economic growth in 2008 will be between 4.5 and 6%, but the World Bank believes 3% is more realistic Despite these declines, primarily attributable to the post-election violence, the government hopes that the 8-10% growth experienced in 2007 will help offset expected economic losses. To mitigate the economic shocks, which are exacerbating the situation for many displaced farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture has established a US$50 million fund to provide loans for Kenyan farmers. This comes in the wake of an African Development Bank announcement of a US$1 billion in farm loans for Africa.

Despite the united front presented on last month’s Rift Valley tour, discussions continued within the grand coalition government on the roles of the prime minister and vice president, particularly with regard to control over the cabinet. Cabinet members continued efforts to build inter-party working relationships. Recognizing that land disputes have underscored past conflicts in Kenya and are intimately linked to the post-election violence, there is continued pressure for the government to address Agenda Number Four which is anticipated to include constitutional and land legislation reforms. Analysts report that resolving land issues will be key to the sustainability of return and resettlement efforts. These longer-term issues will also be critical for resolving newer displacements and conflicts, such as in Mount Elgon, where the government is facing allegations of human rights abuses.

II. Humanitarian Situation The humanitarian community is monitoring the changing needs of displaced communities under the new government effort to return IDPs, while continuing to support the delivery of humanitarian services and protection. Due to the sudden and unexpected nature of the operation, serious concerns have been raised about the lack of consultations and participatory planning for returns. Since the resettlement operation began, some piecemeal requests for support from the international community are coming from line ministries at district level, emphasizing the need for greater consultations and development of a more comprehensive return plan. The Ministry of Special Programmes has indicated that a meeting with all partners will be convened in the near- term to discuss the resettlement plan.

In the interim, the international community is focusing on how humanitarian aid can reach those who leave camps and may set up transitional camps or subsequently experience secondary displacement from places of return. Without adequate warning of the government resettlement operation, take-home rations were not prepared for the first to depart from many camps; quick efforts to prepare such resources are underway. Furthermore, because registration and profiling efforts are not yet complete, identifying places of return and developing a plan to deliver assistance to transitional camps and communities of return will require urgent additional planning. Strategies to support returnees to rebuild their diverse livelihoods are also urgently needed.

Initial reports from sites of return raised some significant humanitarian concerns. At Geta Farm in Trans Nzoia District, apart from the few iron sheets, timber and nails that were distributed, there was little information on the provision of food rations, start-up funds and other resources that the government had indicated would be part of a return package. It is unclear what mechanism will be used for resource distribution and who will lead the process. Reports indicate that the family fragmentation caused by displacement is being exacerbated during the return operation; established care structures for separated or unaccompanied minors may be dismantled without provision of longer-term care solutions.

An inter-cluster monitoring system is being established in , , , Molo and to help identify changing needs, mitigate any humanitarian crisis and improve the situation for IDPs.

Security The security situation remains calm in , Nakuru, Kisumu and Eldoret. However, tensions persist in the Rift Valley between the displaced and host communities, particularly in Molo, Londiani and Kuresoi areas. A security risk assessment is ongoing in the Rift Valley and there has been speculation that the return efforts could create a volatile security context if reconciliation and mediation efforts have not been completed beforehand.

Some IDPs from Geta Farm at Noigam Camp, especially those who were neighbouring Marakwet District, said they were particularly concerned about their security. Areas like Metobo village were deserted and all the homes had been burned down. The Kisii people in the district are reportedly scared to return home because they have not yet been reconciled with the Marakwets. Two weeks ago, police recovered petrol bombs and other ammunition from Marakwet, raising fears of further attacks..

On 7 May, at approximately 2205H, an unknown person shot and killed the WFP’s Head of Sub- Office in Lokichoggio outside the UN compound. The motivation for the killing was not known.

Population Movements and Displacement Trends The government was initially providing transportation for the returnees under their return operation. However, sufficient transport was not available for all participating IDPs and additional resources are being sought.

Before Operation Rudi Nyumbani began, the number of IDPs had risen marginally from last week to 158,124 people in 157 camps. The government is reporting that 15,000 IDPs have been resettled since 5 May. IDPs living with host communities outside of camps are being registered by local government and are expected to be integrated into government resettlement plans.

21 April 21 April 28 April 28 April 1 May 1 May Region No. of No. of IDPs No. of No. of IDPs No. of No. of IDPs Camps Camps camps North Rift Valley 41 77,588 41 82,418 41 82,418 South Rift Valley 79 49,575 70 51,981 70 51,981 Nyanza 15 4,294 15 4,345 15 4,511 Western 16 14,648 16 14,648 16 14,648 Central 9 1,958 9 1,958 9 1,958 Nairobi 6 2,608 6 2,608 6 2,608 Total 166 150,671 157 157,958 157 158,124

Source: Kenya Red Cross

The largest number resettled under Operation Rudi Nyumbani left from Noigam camp in Cherangani Division of Trans Nzoia District to Geta Farm; 2,316 reportedly left, while 1,600 remained in the camp. The places of return included the Geta Farm villages of Minyingwa, Magari, Materio, Metobo, Keboye, Ikuru, Kuku 1 & 2, Eronge and Kahawa. Previously, on 3 May, a UNHCR monitoring mission to Geta Farm had noted that a sizable number of people who had left camps the previous week had returned and were camped in 25 tents in the grounds of a primary school in what is being called a transit camp. The IDPs reported that conditions in their home areas were not yet suitable for their return.

The Rift Valley Province Commissioner also launched a return drive of IDPs from Kipkelion Camp in Molo District on 1 May. At least 500 families were moved to their farms, which built on the trend of some 2,555 IDPs who were accessing their farms during the day. The District Peace Committee facilitated dialogue between returnees and the community to ensure the resettlement effort was successful. Other significant returns occurred from Kachibora and Timboroa in Trans Nzoia District. A further 600 IDPs in Timboroa Camp have registered their willingness to return home.

Molo District was one of the places worst hit by the violence in January. Approximately 70% of the displaced in Molo District had reportedly been returning to farm their land by day and going back to the camps by night, for security reasons. A recent report from a UNHCR monitoring team suggested that IDPs in Molo’s Sawmill Camp were not ready to return home but wanted to move to transit camps (such as Total and Muchorwe) which were closer to their homes and would afford both security and access to their farms. Under the resettlement operation, 52 families moved from Saw Mill Camp. It was reported that, in many cases, only the male head of household was returning to farms to evaluate the conditions for return while women and children remained in the camps.

Humanitarian actors monitored of the movement of 100 IDPs from Molo camps and reported that they found all of their homes burned in their villages of return and there was a lack of food in the places of return. Reports suggest that many who have been transported out of camps in Molo are returning to the camps in an effort to meet their basic social service needs.

The District Commissioner of Uasin Gishu District has made significant efforts to consult with IDPs and humanitarian partners to determine what steps were needed to ensure successful resettlement of an expected 7,000 IDPs. An assessment of areas of return by humanitarian partners found that security was improving with established police posts and patrols. However, many of the farms required inputs, there was a lack of sanitary facilities and most of the schools had been burned in the areas of return.

Urgent efforts are being undertaken to record all returns from camps, including the place of departure and intended destination. This information is expected to inform efforts to assist IDPs and plan interventions in communities of return or areas that may become transit camps.

Concurrent to the resettlement operation, five IDP camps were closed: Rongai in Nakuru District, Ziwa, Sirikwa, Mafuta and Bishop Muge camps in Uasin Gishu District. IDPs in these camps who do not wish to return to home have been moved to other camps.

UNHCR has transported 1,800 Kenyan refugees in Uganda from a transit site near the border to the Kiryandongo Camp in the west of the country, where the Ugandan Government has set aside land for refugees. Another 233 Kenyan refugees who wished to return to Kenya were repatriated on 9 May. However, several thousand Kenyan refugees are believed to be living among the local communities in eastern Uganda as only 2,500 of the 12,000 who reportedly crossed the border during the post-election crisis sought assistance from UNHCR.

Recent movements suggest that approximately 50 to100 refugees daily had been coming over the Somali border into Kenya. The Kenyan government has now sealed this border and those in the Liboi transit center will be moved to refugee camps.

Food Security The fragility of the food security situation is exacerbating the humanitarian situation of the displaced while it also links to the sustainable return and resettlement of IDPs. In East Africa, the FAO estimates two million people are at risk of food insecurity, one-fifth of these as a result of humanitarian crises. Kenya is among these countries. A food deficit is expected in Kenya due to the global food shortages, increases in food prices and reduced production, primarily because of displacement. The first planting season for maize is coming to a close and many IDP farmers were not able to cultivate their lands; less than 50% of land put to maize had been prepared at the onset of the mid-March rains. Many farmers who were able to plant will not have the resources to provide second rounds of fertilizer to their crops.

Projected food security conditions, most likely scenario July –

September 2008. Source: FEWSNET x p e c t e d t o b e p o o r i n n o r t h e r n a n d Furthermore, drought is expected, primarily in the arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) areas. Following the mediocre short rains from October to December 2007, the most-likely scenario according to e forecasts, is that the long rains will be below normal due to La Niña events, coupled with a a concurrent lowering of the sea surface temperatures of the Indian Ocean. Therefore all areas s outside the western grain basket area in Kenya are likely to suffer a severe rain shortages; the t eastern pastoralist and southeastern area will be the most affected areas. Though the forecasts e for rains in the most important growing areas of the country (North Rift and Western Kenya) are r n good, production is still predicted to decline in this scenario. p The government is optimistic that the reduction in agricultural output will only be 15% to 20% of a normal harvest. This is lower than the 30% projected output deficits based on food security s assessments conducted earlier in the year. An early crop of two million bags is expected in the t market and another one million bags from Tanzania and Uganda. With these inputs, maize o shortages are expected to begin in August and could induce serious food price spikes. r a The Kenya government has taken measures to improve the food security outlook. In addition to the l fund established for loans to farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture has made tractors available in the a North Rift for tilling of land and has provided seed and fertilizers to farmers. FAO has provided n additional seed while World Vision and International Rescue Committee have supplied tools in d

F i g Trans Nzoia and ACT has provided supplies to Laikipia. ICRC and the KRCS have jointly distributed seeds and tools to nearly 7,000 farmers in Mt. Elgon, another high production area that has experienced considerable production disruptions dating back to late 2006 when a land settlement conflict led to the displacement of more than 50,000 persons. The nation’s National Accelerated Agricultural Subsidy Programme continues to provide assistance to 28,000 farmers. In addition to the serious implications that food scarcity will have on the displaced, those residing in urban slums are in need of urgent interventions to mitigate a humanitarian crisis.

The international community is reviewing current interventions to plan a response before food insecurity worsens. Nutritional surveillance will be strengthened so that trends can be identified on a monthly basis and appropriate responses undertaken. Furthermore, increased support will focus on diversifying crops to offset late planting and utilizing seeds that have a shorter growing cycle or are resistant to drought and pests. Support will also focus on combating animal diseases, as a means to bolster meat production in times of scarcity. A working group led by FAO will focus on how to ensure that this support is increased, well targeted and that best practices are promoted.

III. Humanitarian Response

Camp Co-ordination/Camp Management

The government has agreed to a new IDP registration format and 60,000 of the new forms will be printed by 12 May. The delay has resulted from a number of requests for changes. The newly approved document will now be used in all subsequent IDP camps and sites and for the registration of IDPs living within host families. The KRC and designated registration partners expect to complete registrations in camps by 31 May. A UNHCR team will support the government to conduct registration of IDPs in the host community and return areas with a target completion date of 30 June. The KRC will second staff to support district commissioners in this process. An IDP profiling consultant arrived in Nairobi 5 May to help with the profiling strategy and will remain until 16 May.

Registration continues in Eldoret, but the movement of IDPs between camps and sites has made the task difficult. In Kisumu, level 2 registration (the previously agreed registration forms) has been completed for IDPs in all camps in the region.

Education

Schools reopened after the holidays on 5 May. With still no clear plan to support voluntary teachers and uncertainty over the resettlement process, there is low attendance and poor motivation in some camp schools, although lessons are ongoing. In Molo, education activities are ongoing as children and their mothers have generally stayed behind while the men have returned home with Operation Rudi Nyumbani. The cluster is waiting to see how the return process goes before it can decide whether there is a need to provide education services in new transit sites.

The Ministry of Education is encouraging children in IDP camps to enroll in host community schools. In Naivasha, for example, the ministry has ordered all 271 children in standards 2 and 3 classes (for children 7 to 8 years old) to enroll in host schools. Those attending standard 1 class (for children 5 to 6 years old) and pre-schooling will continue to attend camp schools. This directive may add to parents’ anxieties about the safety of their children as they walk to and from school. However, head teachers remain firm in their belief that children generally integrate well into host schools. As a priority, the cluster recommends continued monitoring of the situation and the provision of psychosocial support.

In other parts of the country, there are media reports over overcrowding in schools in areas hosting a large IDP population. For example, in Nyandarua in Central Province, the number of children seeking admission into local schools has more than doubled to 21,000 since February, according to The Daily Nation.

The cluster is working to improve co-ordination between schools and camp management to better track children’s access to education. The cluster is encouraging schools to closely monitor student enrolment and attendance to ensure that all children enjoy the free primary education they are legally entitled to.

In an effort to maintain teaching standards and a conducive learning environment, the District Education Office has said that unqualified voluntary teachers will no longer be allowed to continue their work. This will affect 166 volunteer teachers in the Eldoret area.

The Refugee Consortium of Kenya is working with the West Disaster Management Committee (consisting of the district commissioner, district officer, church leaders and members of the host community) to improve educational standards for IDP children in the district, most of whom are living outside camps. Most day students do not have uniforms which makes them easy targets for stigmatization and can cause them psychological stress. Moreover, these students do not eat lunch because their parents are unable to afford it, which undermines their concentration in class. Most of 797 IDP students registered at boarding schools in the area also lack uniforms and some mattresses.

The Refugee Consortium and the Kiambu West Disaster Management Committee are soliciting donations to help these students to continue their education.

The standardized assessment tool has been completed but its use has been delayed because of Operation Rudi Nyumbani. The 10-day assessment will be carried out as soon as possible in order to finalize the eight project plans for utilization of the US$22-million approved in April. The funds will support primary school infrastructure, early childhood development, special needs education, secondary education and vocational training.

The second phase of teacher training linking peace education and citizenship to the current national curriculum was completed last week. The Education Cluster reports 642 teachers from all 149 districts of the country took part in the course.

Health

General health service delivery in camps is satisfactory although International Medical Corps, the main service provider in the largest IDP camp, Eldoret Showground, will pull out next month. They are handing over to NGOs but there is concern about their capacity. The gaps that the NGOs cannot fill will be filled by the District Medical Officer with the support of the cluster. MSF-Swiss is pulling out of the Rift Valley by 12 May and out of Nakuru and Molo by the end of June. MSF-Belgium will cease activities in Endebess and Kitale in early June. This is because they were filling gaps during the emergency and are handing over to other actors.

There have been no cases of cholera in any camps so far. There was a suspected case in Eldoret Showground but it was found not to be cholera. WHO is supporting the District Health teams to investigate the suspected cases and is pre-positioning contingency stocks with the District Medical Officer in case of an outbreak.

Nutrition

The cluster intends to use government structures and health facilities to continue to support IDPs, including those being resettled. As assessment is being carried out in the South Rift Valley to see how this can best be done as there are concerns that some health facilities were shut down as a result of the post-election violence and are not likely to open any time soon.

Tracking of beneficiaries to ensure they continue to receive supplements is a challenge and some of those who returned home under Operation Rudi Nyumbani have not received exit rations.

On 5 May, Samaritan’s Purse and the Ministry of Health started training health workers from 11 facilities in Trans Nzoia District on the management of acute malnutrition. This will increase the capacity of health workers to manage the condition. Training in arid and semi-arid areas on management of malnutrition and infant and child-feeding practices concludes next week. Similar trainings are planned for health workers in areas affected by post-election violence.

MSF-Spain’s assessment in Central Province two weeks ago found that there is no need to intervene in the area because the rate of malnutrition is low. Only 4 out of 326 children were found to have moderate malnutrition using the Mid-Upper-Arm-Circumference measurement. MSF will close its operations in Molo and Koibatek districts on 30 May because of the reduction in the number of malnourished children in the area. MSF-Belgium also plans to phase out from Endebess in Trans Nzoia District by 8 June as the camp is closing.

Nutritional surveys are planned for Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley and Central provinces and are awaiting approval from the Ministry of Health. These will be carried out by Save the Children and the Ministry of Health with the support of partners.

UNICEF and WFP are providing nutrition input to the ongoing assessment on HIV/AIDS by the Joint team on HIV/AIDS.

Protection

On 3 May, KRC, IOM, UNHCR and OCHA arranged a “go-see” visit to the Yamumbi area of Uasin Gishu District for 22 IDPs from Eldoret Showground Camp to the transit site in Yamumbi and Yamumbi Farm, the IDPs’ pre-displacement area. The IDPs were satisfied with shelter conditions in the transit site. In the potential return areas, the majority of homes had been burnt down in Gitwe, Lemok, Kaptaget, Mwiruti Shopping Centre and Yamumbi Farm. However, this has not deterred some people from returning home to farm. Most IDPs were reluctant to return home and asked for livelihood support, shelter, food and assurance of security. They also said peace-building activities needed to be initiated with the Kalenjins, due to the lingering tension between the two communities.

On 5 May, a second “go-see” visit took place for IDPs from Kitale Showground to Nasienda in Trans Nzoia District. On 7 May, 1,176 people moved home as part of Operation Rudi Nyumbani. Here, only 11 homes need to be rebuilt as most are intact. However, there are many displaced in the area who never made it to the camps but require assistance.

On 6 May, IDPs from the Nakuru Showground Camp went on a “go-see” visit to Nyalinyua Farm in Uasin Gishu District; Murao farm in Kipkelion; Gilgil Farm in Koibatek; and Jogoo Village in Molo. Their findings and recommendations will be reported to the provincial commissioner’s office.

KRC is hiring a full-time camp manager for Londiani Camp in Molo District following incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse. The problems are linked to the brewing of illegal beer in the camp and its proximity to the town centre. A workshop will be held on the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs and on sexual and gender-based violence.

Shelter and Non-Food Items

Many of the IDPs returning with Operation Rudi Nyumbani have carried their tents with them. This is a concern for the shelter cluster as they no longer have sufficient tents in camps in case of fresh displacement to camps. Some 300 transitional shelter kits are ready for distribution. GOAL is assessing the Kipkelion/Mutaragon village area as a potential site for the implementation of the transitional shelter kit project. Given the rapid rate of return under the government operation, clarification is being sought from the government on how the cluster can assist with shelter requirements for returnees, whether the government will provide shelter and how these materials will be distributed. Once clarification is obtained, the cluster will assess if and how procurement and fundraising strategies should be revised.

Some 1,100 lightweight emergency tents have been distributed in the Eldoret region with another 600 due. Of these, 100 of the 240 tents needed for contingency at Yamumbi-Eldoret overflow site have been delivered, as have 100 for contingency and the reorganization of the Salama GSU and Primary School site in Kwanza District. Another 300 tents will go to Gitwamba Transit Site in Trans Nzoia District; 100 to Tarigo New Transit Site in Koibatek District; and 60 to the Matharu extension site in Uasin Gishu District. Site and action plans are being awaited for both sites.

In Kisumu, the shelter situation has improved at the Kondele Police Station with the distribution of five tents. This has enabled officials to separate accommodation for men and women.

In the South Rift Valley, most of the IDP farmers from the Elburgon area and the Muchorve Camp have returned to farm their lands during the day. They have indicated their willingness to return permanently provided there is adequate security and that they are provided with shelter.

Water Sanitation Hygiene

The WASH cluster reports that the situation of water and sanitation provision has stabilized in most camps in the hubs administering IDP camps: Nairobi-Central, Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu. It says the overall picture does not give rise to “acute concern“ that a cholera epidemic is imminent.

Concerns had been raised at the rapidly filling latrines in many of the camps in Nairobi and Central Province and the dearth of the facilities in Donduri Camp, Nakuru North District. The lack of latrines in Donduri should be addressed this week. At Nakuru Showground, bathing cubicles are being built and a laundry washing slab erected.

The shortage of water at Afraha Stadium has been alleviated, for now, by a water tanker provided by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. The Ekerenyo and Keroka camps in Kisii are now well serviced with good quality water.

The ministry requested the cluster to provide 50 mobilets and water tankers to provide facilities for IDPs returning home under Operation Rudi Nyumbani, which it has done. The cluster is discussing with partners who best to address sanitation needs at transit camps and in areas of return. The main objective is to prevent an outbreak of cholera which could occur in places where there is a concentration of people and lack of sanitation.

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

Elisabeth Byrs, Public Information Officer, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, [email protected].