• Floods and Landslides Vol. 2: Focus on Marakwet

3.05.2010

This report was issued by OCHA Kenya with information received from the Government of Kenya, Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), and media reports. It covers the period from 30 April-3May. The next report will be issued in accordance with developments on response.

Highlights • Mudslide kills 11 and displaces more than 600 people in • Eight people with serious injuries airlifted • Rescue and response operations are underway • Floods displace hundreds in District

Situation Update

11 people have so far been confirmed dead and another 600 displaced when a mud slide occurred in Kitony Village, Marakwet District, located in north western Kenya.

An additional eight people with serious injuries are receiving specialized treatment at Moi Referral Hospital. The mudslide occurred when River Siner changed its course at Kitony village. Seven houses were swept away. The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and other governmental and UN partners are offering humanitarian response to those affected. An assessment to establish gaps and needs of the affected population is necessary.

Access to the affected village has been difficult given the wet conditions and hilly topography of the area. Rocks and stones at the site are also hampering rescue efforts. Responders to those affected are reported to be walking for up to 3km to reach the site.

Marakwet East District was carved from the greater Marakwet District. The National Bureau of Statistics indicates that the greater Marakwet District has a total population of 140,629 people. A mudslide occurred at the area in March 2009. An unconfirmed number of livestock were buried but no human casualties reported in that event. Area residents are reported to have moved to higher grounds until the rains subsided.

At the onset of the Long Rains in October 2009, The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources issued an early warning/alert for landslides, covering areas bordering Marakwet/ West Pokot/ Trans Nzoia districts. Other border areas put on alert included / Migori, /Buret, Nandi/ , Teso/ and Muranga/ districts. The following districts were also covered by the alert: Kapenguria, Uasin Gishu, Keiyo, Baringo, Koibatek, , Meru North, Nyeri, and Taita Taveta. On 2 May, District Authorities requested 100 residents of Mathira, Nyeri district (central Kenya) to move to higher grounds. Some of the residents have begun moving.

Heavy rains were received in , located in northern Kenya. Bridges were also swept away by the resultant floods, paralyzing transport. Hundreds of people travelling to and from Moyale are reported to be stranded and spending nights by the roadside, in bandit prone areas. 70 heavy duty vehicles are also reported stranded and are awaiting the reconstruction of the bridges. Engineers from the Ministry of Roads and Public Works are expected to fix the bridges. Maize fields in Mado, Adhi, Waye and Anona areas were also washed away. District Authorities indicated that relief food, blankets and mosquito nets will be needed should the rains continue beyond 6 May.

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.

Humanitarian Response

Sector Response

Food GoK through MoSSP provided cooking oil, beans and maize

Transport and logistics KRCS airlifted seven people for specialized care

Emergency shelter and NFIs GoK through MoSSP provided 150 tarpualins,300 blankets, jericans, kitchen- sets, soap, mosquito nets and 1 large tent

Catholic Church provided a safe ground for hosting the displaced

Protection KRCS providing psychosocial support

Health Kenya Army set up a medical camp

KRCS provided medical supplies to the Endo and Tot Dispensaries

Search and rescue Kenya Army, General Service Unit, NYS, Kenya Police, KRCS searching for those buried. Rescue operations on-going

Assessment and Coordination

An inter-agency team comprising of OCHA, UNICEF and WHO are in Kitony village in Marakwet District, to assess and identify sectoral needs. The team is supporting emergency coordination and facilitating additional resources to fill in the gaps.

Gaps The Government of Kenya and KRCS have so far identified the following gaps

SECTOR WHAT

Transport and logistics Bull-dozer to move rocks. The main road is impassable

Food and nutrition Additional food supplies

Health Additional medical supplies

All humanitarian partners including donors and recipient agencies are encouraged to inform FTS of cash and in-kind contributions by sending an email to: [email protected] .

Contacts Please contact: , Jeanine Cooper, Head of Office – OCHA Kenya [email protected] , +254-20-762-5155,

Nairobi: Patrick Lavandhomme, Deputy Head of Office-OCHA Kenya [email protected] , +254-762-20-762-5148

Nairobi : Thandie Mwape, Humanitarian Affairs Officer/Reporting & Analysis [email protected], +254-20-762-5316

New York: Alfred Nabeta, Desk Officer, [email protected] , +1917-367-2649 For more information, please visit: http://ochaonline.un.org/kenya

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The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.

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The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.

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