UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN UPDATE vol. 45 12 - 27 March, 2009

Office of the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Kenya HIGHLIGHTS

The Government of Kenya donates 9000 MT of food worth KSH279 million to WFP for the EMOP Kenya Humanitarian partners launch the revised EHRP Meteorological Department warns of poor rains in upcoming rainy season compounding concerns about food insecurity Fewer people killed in pastoralist areas this year compared to the high numbers reported at the same time last year Cholera outbreak spreads to 16 districts affecting hundreds of Kenyans humanitarian actors to assess conditions in relocation sites

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. This report is posted on: http://ochaonline.un.org/kenya

General Overview Members of the humanitarian community with support from the Government of Kenya on 16 March presented the 2009 revised Emergency Humanitarian Response Plan (EHRP) for assistance of those most in need in Kenya. Since the initial launch of the 2009 EHRP five months ago, the humanitarian situation in Kenya has deteriorated. Poor rains, food shortages and high commodity prices have deepened food and livelihood insecurity across many parts of the country; while instability and conflict in neighbouring Somalia have prompted marked increase in refugees entering Kenya. Humanitarian partners have therefore reviewed their programmatic requirements to respond to existing and emerging needs. The revised appeal requests a total of USD 575 million to address the needs of vulnerable communities. Around USD198 million is for protection and assistance to refugees while USD 373 million is to address food insecurity, the search for durable solutions for IDPs and other emergency interventions in critical non-food sectors like health and water and sanitation. Among the key populations targeted under the plan are victims of the current food crisis particularly affecting the pastoral ASAL areas, the marginal agricultural areas of south-eastern and coastal lowlands, as well as the urban poor. The crisis has been triggered by a combination of factors including poor short rains, rising food and commodity prices, reduced cereal production, livestock diseases and incidents of conflict, which converged to dramatically increase food security among many vulnerable populations.

The much awaited Long Rains season which was expected to start the week around 18th March delayed by a week. According to the Meteorological Department the rainy season is expected to be short. Another poor rain season could damage crop production prospects and there are fears that this will limit the supply of the national staple maize. The anticipated poor rainfall further puts pressure on farmers, some of whom have had inadequate farming inputs (seeds and fertilizers) as well as farming machinery. Even for farmers that have received inputs, the poor rains will result in poor production, loss of investment, little/no income from poor crop production and ultimately exacerbate poverty levels and limit access/affordability to essentials. The Kenya Red Cross has also warned of the drought worsening in the (, Makueni and ). OCHA has noted the early warning signs of an intensification of food insecurity. More

March - May 2009 Rainfall Forecast. Source: Kenya Meteorological Department advocacy is required in highlighting the slow onset of drought and its aggravating consequences on vulnerable populations in the country.

A total of 12 people were reportedly dead in conflicts that took place during the month of March, bringing the cumulative number of pastoralists killed since January this year to 58. This is a substantial reduction in number compared to reports received during the same period in the year 2008, where 93 cumulative deaths were reported. Deaths reported were mainly as a result of water and pasture based conflicts. The reduction in the numbers of those killed can be attributed to reduced rustling activities, as a result of diminished water and pasture, essential resources that would be necessary to sustain livestock acquired during raids. According to a 2008 report on Vulnerability and Dependency in Four Livelihood Zones in Northern Kenya, diminished rains in pastoral areas have translated to reduced pasture and water. In addition, there have been recorded drastic livelihood changes, increased poverty and dependency in the areas, attributes that also contribute to the existing resource based conflicts. The report also points out the lack of alternative sources of income in pastoral areas, therefore leaving pastoralists with no alternative sources of income. The report further concludes that reliance on livestock production cannot be sustainable, given the existing drought conditions.

Humanitarian actors in Nakuru have agreed to undertake an inter-agency rapid assessment on 31st March, in 18 relocation sites in Molo, , Nakuru and Olkalau. The rapid assessment is aimed at analysing the humanitarian conditions in relocation sites by:- Compiling a profile for each Self-help relocation site in the South Rift, including analysis of the livelihood activities, demographic stratification, and other pertinent information. Documenting the humanitarian situation and identifying gaps if any. Assessing levels of integration with the communities in the areas they live in. Identifying priorities for recovery and make recommendations for the development of a post conflict strategy on gaps which could be used to advocate for follow up. OCHA shared the concept note and draft questionnaire with the inter-agency team for comments. WFP, OCHA, UNDP UNV, SCUK, UNHCR, KRC, DRC, GOAL, and UNFPA have expressed interest to participate.

II. Humanitarian Situation

Food security The GoK has donated 9000 MT of maize worth KSH 279 million to WFP. The maize will be distributed through the single pipeline as per new policy passed by the government. Additional funding worth US$ 7.9 million has been received from DFID. Other pledges have been made by Swiss, Spain, Japan, Brazil and Turkey. The needs in food aid remain high to meet the 30,000-35,000 MT of maize required per month.

Save the Children UK (SCUK) is in its last phase of response activities in Molo district. SCUK has been providing livelihood support through agricultural inputs, cash grants, cash for work and veterinary assistance to the returnees and vulnerable households in among the surrounding communities. The NGO will be in Molo up to 13th May 2009. SCUK has finalised yield assessments for the agricultural support programme in Molo district. The 2 assessment revealed a 1 to 9 rate of return in vegetables. The prices of farm inputs such as fertilizers are gradually going down. The price of 50 kg bag of fertilizer in the market has dropped from Kshs. 6,000 reported last year to Kshs. 2,800. This has partly been attributed to government subsidized fertilizer prices which is going for Kshs. 2500. SCUK will is yet to share the report and has cautioned that the assessment results in some areas are unreliable as beneficiaries gave incorrect information anticipating to receive more support. SCUK reported that some of the people in transit sites are not as desperate as projected. There are cases where people stay at sites during the day and go back to their homes at night in order to receive assistance. SCUK is working with Equity Bank Ltd to provide credit facilities to farmers at an interest rate of 1.42% per month. The facility is aimed at supporting agricultural production and livelihood rebuilding in Molo district.

Food assistance The MoSSP has appealed for the continuation of food aid to 150,000 IDPs identified as food insecure during the Short Rains assessment. WFP had planned for the phase out of food assistance for IDPs by the end of May. The Stakeholders meeting held on 30 March held extensive discussions on the possibility of conducting a rapid assessment to determine the level of vulnerability. The WFP/KRC’s 14th food distribution cycle targeting 109,870 beneficiaries is on going with 104 713 beneficiaries being covered in the South Rift. 5,157 have not yet been reached due to cereals pipeline break in WFP. WFP reported of hostilities in district where communities who are not included in the food distribution protested over the exclusion. The EMOP in the South Rift only targets people who were displaced during the violence. The communities felt that they are equally needy and demanded to be targeted. WFP held talks with the District Commissioner on 26th March 2009 to discuss the issue. Meanwhile WFP reported that the EMOP food distribution to the IDPs and returnees in the South Rift will end 31st March 2009. WFP will close the Nakuru office and any necessary operations in the region will be covered from their field office.

Refugees UNHCR reports that the refugee caseload in Dadaab continues to increase. More than 18,000 new arrivals have registered this year with more than 16,300 from Somalia. Increased insecurity especially in the middle and lower Juba regions coupled with drought/food insecurity are cited as main reasons for this surging trend. The overall population in Dadaab currently stands at 259,323 persons as of 13 March 2009, an increase of 10% since the beginning of 2009 (from 235,455 persons). In Kakuma, UNHCR informs of a new trend of refugee status with 240 Sudanese (mostly from Darfur), and 1500 Somalis having been registered this year. Currently, there are 19,000 Somalis in Kakuma. Since the launch of repatriation of Sudanese from Kakuma camp to South Sudan in December 2005, around 37,000 have returned. Somali Refugees await registration at Dadaab Refugee Camp, 2008. Out of these, 15,000 have gone with UNHCR ©IRIN assistance while 21,000 have gone back spontaneously.

UNHCR flagged the imminent return of 65 PEV refugees from Uganda. The refugees may require government/UNHCR to meet transportation and other financial needs related to their return.

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) The Ministry of State for Special Programmes informed that there remains an estimated 1,100 IDPs in the Eldoret showground camp. At estimated 1,039 IDPs moved out in the course of last week. In the Rift valley, there is an estimated 44 transit camps and 90% of the land near the transit camps has been prepared for farming. The Ministry of Agriculture is assisting with seeds. MoSSP appealed for support in farming inputs for IDP farmers. 3

The GoK has decided to discontinue the disbursement of the KSH25 000 shelter assistance to IDPs. MoSSP informed that the government will only assist with shelter material to ‘needy’ cases. The decision may affect some Self Help groups who have been waiting for this grant to finance their houses.

On a positive development, the Chinese government has donated KSH 103 million to the GoK for shelter support. The GoK will support the shelter programme by providing timber and other shelter material. Priority will be given to Self Help groups.

Nutrition In , the data from the AAH survey has been validated. Save the Children is proposing a scaled up response of blanket supplementary feeding. There is continued emergency response to the management of acute malnutrition and improved coverage though support in Mandera. In Killifi and KInangop, an assessment conducted by UNICEF in coastal districts a month ago, following which supplies for the management of severe malnutrition were mobilised in Killifi, Kinangop, and .

The Ministry of Heath is conducting nutrition surveillance in a number of districts until about August. The February results from 16 districts indicate that of 9635 children screened, 11% were found to be moderately malnourished, 2.5% severely malnourished and 22.7% are at risk. This exercise should provide a trend analysis of the nutrition situation. Preparations are underway for the Turkana Nutrition survey which is planned for April 2009.Funding remains a big constraint to conducting nutrition surveys in other areas affected by food insecurity.

The Capacity Development sub-group met on 13th March and prioritised the finalization of integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) guidelines and the training package. The WHO supported training on IMAM is ongoing until end of April and covering North-eastern, Rift valley and Eastern province’s ASAL. UNICEF conducted an orientation to 8 Training of Trainers (TOTs) who were deployed to the lower Eastern Province on 13th March to support health workers in management of acute malnutrition. Nutrition food supplies and anthropometric equipments have been supplied to coast, eastern and parts of Rift valley provinces for management of the increased caseload of malnutrition. World Vision has commenced nutrition activities in Baringo and Samburu

Health WHO informs that there are five (5) confirmed cases of wild polio and nine (9) other cases are being investigated in the Turkana region. The second round of the synchronized immunization campaign ended on 24th of March 2009, and included northern Uganda, Kenya and southern Sudan.

The cholera outbreak in the country has affected sixteen districts in Nyanza, Rift valley and North- Eastern and Eastern provinces. The total number of reported cholera cases has risen to 1,265 with 41 deaths from the 505 cases and one death reported in early March in west Kenya. A newly affected district, (in Northern Kenya) has confirmed 190 cases with 9 deaths within the last week.

In district, along the Kenya-Ethiopia border, the outbreak has brought into focus the need for cross border operations. As of 30th March 2009, the number of cases so far seen at the Moyale District hospital has reached 234 with 4 deaths and 46 admissions. MSF is supporting the district hospital and the Kenya Red Cross (KRC) has pre-positioned its cholera kits. Challenges in response include the MoH’s weak surveillance, lack of funds and technical expertise, capacity to investigate, follow up and water and sanitation needs. The District Disaster Committees (DDCs) has been activated in Moyale. Both WHO Kenya and Ethiopia are supporting the district health teams of both countries. Coordination mechanisms have been strengthened with daily morning briefings by all stakeholders and cross border meetings between Kenyan and Ethiopian health officials. The two countries have synchronized control measures. Social mobilization is on going with high level of awareness by the Public Health Officers in the district.

The Ministry of Health and ACF conducted a rapid assessment in Mandera (East, Central and West) last week following reports of suspected cholera outbreak. The assessment revealed 58 cases of diarrhea, and not cholera.

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Cholera Outbreak in Kenya Up to 27 March 2009

Busia District District Legend TURKANA 30 Reported Cases International 12 Reported Cases WEST POKOT 1 Reported Death 2 Reported Deaths Boundaries Lakes District East District SAMBURU Districts Affected MARAKWET 27 Reported CasesTRANS NZOIA229 Reported Cases Nandi South District by Cholera 1 ReportedMT Death 3 Reported Deaths ELGON 11 Reported Cases Districts Affected BARINGO 3 Reported Deaths by Diarrhoea Other Districts UASIN Nyando District ISIOLO TESO GISHU 79 Reported Cases BUSIA 1 Reported Death KEIYO MERU Map Doc Name: KEN_Cholera_Outbreak_A3_01Apr09 KAKAMEGA LAIKIPIA NORTH GLIDE Number: N/A Creation Date: 01 April 2009 NANDI Projection/Datum: Geographic / WGS 84 SIAYA KOIBATEK Web Resources: http://ochaonline.un.org/Kenya MERU CENTRAL Nominal Scale at A3 paper size: 1:2,100,000 Nakuru District District 012.5 25 50 75 100 BONDO NYANDO Km NYANDARUA16 Reported Cases 179 Reported Cases Map data source(s): Lake Victoria 1 Reported Death 6 Reported DeathsMERU SOUTH Administrative Boundaries: DEPHA, OCHA ROCEA Cholera Outbreak Breakdown: WHO RACHUONYO Diarrhoea Information: ACF NAKURU EMBU Disclaimers: SUBA BURET The designations employed and the presentation of HOMA material on this map do not imply the expression of any MURANGA MBEERE opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the BAY Lake Naivasha United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or GUCHA concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. MIGORI Rachuonyo District District TRANS MARA 111 ReportedNAROK Cases 77 ReportedKURIA Cases 5 Reported Deaths KITUI 3 Reported Deaths MACHAKOS

Kisumu West District Gucha South District SUDAN ETHIOPIA 32 Reported Cases 2 Reported Cases 0 Reported Deaths 1 Reported Death MAKUENI UGANDA UGANDA Eastern North Eastern Lake Turkana ETHIOPIA Rift Western Valley

Moyale District MANDERA Nyanza Central Nairobi 234ReportedCases MOYALE 4 Reported Deaths MARSABIT Coast

Mandera District TURKANA INDIAN 58 Reported Cases OCEAN TANZANIA 1 Reported Death SOMALIA

SAMBURU Isiolo District Cholera Reported Cases = 1265 190 Reported Cases 9 Reported Deaths Cholera Reported Deaths = 41 BARINGO Diarrhoea Reported Cases = 58 ISIOLO Diarrhoea Reported Deaths = 1

LAIKIPIA TANZANIAMERU TANZANIANORTH MERU CENTRAL

GARISSA NYERI District 35 ReportedMWINGI Cases 1 Reported Death TANA RIVER THIKA NAROK IJARA INDIAN MACHAKOS KITUI KAJIADO OCEAN

Disaster Risk Reduction The Kenya Forest Department informed that 31 fires were reported across Kenya between 21 and 25 March. Personnel were mobilized from the army, air force, National Youth Service, the Forest Service as well as the District Forest Officers, the Kenya Wild Life Service Rangers, Police Administration and the Communities to fight the fires. Eight fires were suppressed, whilst 25 were uncontrolled. Weekend rains have helped to ease the fires. The damage of 44,700 hectares of forests is estimated at KSH 462 million. MoSSP has appealed for support in fire fighting.

OCHA is working with the MoSSP to produce an awareness information sheet for emergency response. The leaflet contains information of common hazards and identifies vulnerable groups. It gives key contacts of hospitals, police and military, and other key service providers/responders to crisis such as the KRC, National Disaster Operation Centre, etc.

The Disaster Preparedness Guide prepared by OCHA and MoSSP Water and Sanitation The District Water Officers in Molo, Kisumu, Uasin Gishu & Trans Nzoia East & West and Lake Basin Development Authority supported by UNICEF through CERF funding have completed the rehabilitation of 200 shallow wells complete with Afridev hand pumps at IDP returnee sites. This breaks down to 40 in Kisumu East, Kisumu West & Nyando, - 32 are in Uasin Gishu, 8 in Lugari, 21 in Trans Nzoia West and 19 in Trans Nzoia East -80 in Molo & Nakuru districts. These water points are estimated to have benefited 63,000 returning IDPs across the three hubs – the programme included training the communities in sustainable management of the water point as well as hygiene promotion and safe water use. The WASH cluster through the Water, Environment and Sanitation Coordination (WESCOORD) meeting held on 2nd March, informs of the following drought Interventions:- Oxfam are to drill 14 boreholes (50-100m depth) in Turkana North which would likely be installed with hand pumps. Some of these will be replacement boreholes and the drilling contractor is LWF – Norwegian. GAA has received 100,000 Euros from the German Foreign Ministry for water trucking in Kajiado District. COOPI has obtained ECHO funding to construct /repair water pans, shallow wells, rock catchments, and also to consolidate data at Daadab refugee camp. It will also train people on O&M at the camp and improve the water supply there. FAO has produced CDs on water and sanitation data in Turkana, such as location, type & condition of water points, and that they were available to members. The information was gathered under the UNICEF/Rural Focus project World Vision said they were to launch two programmes next week. One is to construct 10 roof- catchment systems in schools & dispensaries in Baringo District. The other is to rehabilitate 10 water pans in Turkana. Project funding is by USAID/Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)

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Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) are rehabilitating earth dams in Isiolo and Kitui. They are also involved in pipeline extension in area and 2 boreholes; while in Makueni they were rehabilitating an earth dam and equipping two boreholes. Concern Universal has received 225,000 Euros for Magadi and Ngong Divisions. This is for spring protection and drilling of deep boreholes. This is a 3 year project the donor is Irish Aid

Protection UNHCR visited Molo Saw mill camp where 24 families have been camping without shelter after government administration authorities pulled down their tents in February 2009. The group has vowed not to move out of the site and have declined the government resettlement grant (Kshs. 10,000). They demand land allocation from the government. UNHCR conducted an assessment to 16 Self Help relocation sites in the South Rift on 3rd – 5th March 2009 to assess the conditions in the sites. The assessment covered Molo (Molo good hope IDP SGH & Tuinuane sites), Naivasha (Kikopey 1, Kikopey 2, Gitare, GTI, Jikaze, Fumilia, Vumilia, Amani mahi mahiu, & Maono yetu), Nakuru (Minto, ALKO, Muoroto A, Pipeline, Muoroto B), and Olkalau (Word of faith gesha SGH). The Nyandarua -mawingu site- was not covered. Though the final report is not yet out, preliminary findings indicate that some returnees are yet to receive the Kshs. 10,000 and the Kshs. 25,000 from the government. UNDP/UNV informs that Nakuru District Peace Committees have been formed and trainings conducted to district, division and location levels. Training at the sub location level has however not been carried out due to lack of funds. A total of 1715 committee members have been trained on peace building. UNFPA Marked the International Women’s day with a visit to Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital and visited survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV). On 10th March 2009 UNFPA visited the Nakuru women prison and distributed supplies (soap, milk, and sanitary pads).They also conducted SGBV outreach on 13th March 2009 in Kikopey, Naivasha district.The agency conducted training to members of the Gender Based Violence Network on 23rd and 25th March 2009. The Network was formed in February 2009 to coordinate GBV activities in the South Rift. Membership was drawn from NGOs working on gender, government departments and Egerton University. UNFPA has planned to distribute 1500 energy saving jikos, 1500 rechargeable lights and 1500 dignitary kits to vulnerable IDPs people in Mahi Mahiu, Nyandarua, pipeline and Kikopey self-help relocation sites.

Shelter Danish Refugee Council has completed the construction of 2,700 shelter units in Molo and is expecting to receive funding from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to construct 600 more units in Molo planned for completion by June 2009. GOAL plans to construct 650 more housing units in Kipkelion District with funding from UNHCR, in addition to 2430 units that were constructed in Phase 1 and 2. Seventy five (75) house kits have already been distributed in Kunyak area, Kipkelion. GOAL has also planned to carry out a shelter needs assessment in Nakuru North (Solai, Ndundori, Mutukanie, and Bahati) to identify vulnerable returnees and facilitate shelter response.

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

Alfred Nabeta, Desk Officer, Africa I Section, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 2649, [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].

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