UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN UPDATE vol. 33 20 August – 27 August 2008 Office of the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Kenya HIGHLIGHTS • The Kenyan Red Cross reported that there are 25,296 IDPs in 48 IDP camps; the KRCS, WFP and an interagency assessment noted that there were 99,198 IDPs in 160 transit sites; the Government reported that 226,187 IDPs had returned to pre-displacement areas by 18 August. • The Long Rains Assessment noted that USD 27.5 million in interventions is required through multiple sectors to address food insecurity. • Ten pastoralists were killed in clashes near the Kenya-Uganda border and others displaced to Oropoi division, Turkana North district, according to the Lockichoggio Oropoi and Kakuma Development Organization. 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 I. General Overview In an effort to reconfirm commitments made to address some of the core drivers of conflict, the Kenyan National Dialogue and Reconciliation released a public service announcement in local media. An ambitious matrix of planned activities was outlined, including reform of the constitution, over the next six to twelve months. As a critical part of the peace-building process, the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission is also expected to complete its work by 2010. Meanwhile, measures to address inequities and regional imbalances will be implemented within the next two to three years. Meanwhile, the debate over whether perpetrators of the PEV should receive amnesty was aired in the Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence as Attorney General Amos Wako rejected calls to grant amnesty to perpetrators of PEV. However, noting that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute many alleged offenders being held in association with the violence, he recommended that a Criminal Investigation Department be created under the Attorney General's office to conduct further investigations. Recognizing that land-related issues are some of the primary drivers of conflict, there has been widespread demand for the first National Land Policy since 1963 to be passed. The Policy is expected to address irregular allocations of land and accessibility to land by the poor. Civil society groups have also advocated that that the Policy address the various functions that land serves to the diverse population in Kenya, including a primary source of livelihoods for agriculturalists and pastoralists; a foundation for national economic development; and an important source of cultural heritage. It has been highlighted that the lack of clear policies to address access, rights, usage and competing interests in land, could continue to fuel conflicts in the country, particularly as population pressures increase the demand for resources. Pastoralist child in Turkana district. March 2008. For more on pastoralist livelihoods see p. 3 In addition to ongoing processes to address longstanding grievances the Government initiated constructive channels to hold public offices accountable for service delivery. A Public Service week was held between 20-27 August, which included efforts to improve public services, such as extended hours of service. Citizens Service Charters were also launched which provide essential information on the functions and services of all public offices, thereby empowering the public to hold officials and institutions accountable to their mandates. (For the President’s statement on Public Service Week, see: http://www.communication.go.ke/media.asp?id=696g) II. Humanitarian Situation Food Security Based on the findings of the Long Rains Assessment (LRA) conducted by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG), immediate and long-term interventions are necessary in several sectors to respond to the food security situation. Because of the compounding factors contributing to food insecurity in pastoral regions, they require the greatest amount of resources in multiple sectoral areas. Some of the major factors affecting food security in these areas include: below-normal and sporadic rainfall; livestock diseases, including peste des petits ruminants (PPR), which deteriorated livestock body conditions and decrease pastoralists’ purchasing power; insecurity due to cattle rustling and competition for resources; high commodity prices; and high rates of malnutrition. Funding Requirements (in Ksh millions) in Response to Food Insecurity SECTOR Livestock Agriculture Health Water Education TOTAL Long Long Long Long REGION Imm Imm. Imm. Imm. Imm. Term Term Term Term Northern 156 42 1 28 68 32 327 Eastern Pastoral 110 10 10 50 140 158 478 Agro Pastoral 12.5 28.5 9 2 17.5 10 40 5 124.5 Eastern Marginal 9 50 27 121 10 217 Coastal Marginal 2 29 175 460 108 Total 287.5 38.5 69 44 47.5 117 544 355 118 1,620.5 TOTAL USD USD 25.7 Sourc: KFSSG Long Rains Assessment, August 2008. The LRA provides an important opportunity to identify areas at risk of food insecurity and areas of possible intervention; however, the situation also needs to be considered with respect to the seasonal calendar and specifically the forthcoming short rains (between mid-October and the end of December). According to FEWSNET, the degraded pastures and deteriorated crop conditions in 2008 were in part affected by poor short rains in 2007; likewise the food security situation for the remainder of 2008 and in 2009 will be greatly affected by the short rains. Source: FEWSNET, August 2008. 2 Pastoralist Livelihoods The period between the long and short rains is also the time period in which pastoralists migrate with livestock to dry-season grazing areas. Because of the prevailing drought conditions throughout a significant portion of pastoralist areas, there has been increased competition for resources amongst pastoralists during this season. The Lockichoggio Oropoi and Kakuma Development Organization (LOKADO) highlighted that one of the key grazing area during drought periods spans between Koten and Morulem, Turkana district to Kotdo district, Uganda. The proliferation of arms and presence of cattle rustlers in this region, however, has resulted loss of over 300 cattle and 3,500 shoats over the past two years. In an effort to protect the region, which is also an important wildlife corridor, the Ugandan Government reportedly sent a notice that all pastoralists were to vacate the area in July; however, with increasingly scare pasture areas to turn to, many pastoralists remained. LOKADO reported that on 15 August, the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) led an operation in the region to evict the pastoralists and clashes erupted. LOKADO reported that the clashes resulted in the death of ten people and injury of three others. Following the clashes, LOKADO reports that the pastoralists have moved over the border into Kenya and have sought refuge in Oropoi division, Turkana North district. However, there is reportedly insufficient pasture and water in the area. The displaced population is also reportedly in need of food aid and NFIs. Meanwhile, the UN Department Source: Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism of Safety and Security reported that, despite monthly peace and reconciliation meetings, tensions are high in Oropoi division, Turkana North particularly following clashes during a failed cross-border raid by cattle rustlers between 24-25 August. Mount Elgon Peacenet reported that a three-day peace meeting was held in Busia, Mount Elgon from 13-15 August supported by Peacenet, Safer World and the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Bungoma Diocese and including the participation of 48 leaders from communities in Mount Elgon. The purpose of the meeting was to develop a common platform for reconciliation among the conflicting parties and devise a schedule for peace building activities. At the meeting, it was agreed that an interim District Peace Committee would be formed in the area to lead peace building activities. It was also recognized that traditional institutions, such as the council of elders, and community-based peace building models needed to be strengthened. Furthermore, the important role that youth play in peace building was recognized, especially because of the youth involvement in the conflict, and youth-specific programming was discussed. 3 On 22 August, there were demonstrations in Mount Elgon during a visit of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, which was undertaking military perpetrated acts of torture during their security operation to rout the Sabaot Land Defense Force (SLDF) militia. The protestors demanded that the military remain in Mount Elgon to ensure their security. The Mount Elgon district police, victims of the violence in the region; ten bodies have been exhumed so far. Security UNDSS reported that tensions arose along the Mandera East district border with Ethiopia on 13 August after an Ethiopian national who was detained in a Kenyan prison, died due to illness. The situation was calmed and the body of the deceased man was given to his family in Suftu, Ethiopia. Population Movements and Displacement Trends The KRCS reported that there were 25,296 IDPs in WFP and an interagency assessment noted that there were 99,198 IDPs in 160 transit sites. The Ministry of State for Special Programmes (MOSSP) reported that as of 18 August, 226,187 IDPs had returned to pre-displacement areas. The majo district (43,277 persons) followed by Kipkelion (23,992 persons) and Trans Nzoia West districts (21,482 persons). 350,000 meanwhile, intensified a fact-finding their searchmission for over bodies claims of that the 300,000 250,000 301,643 200,000 150,000 Total IDPs in Camps in Kenya 100,000 234,725 50,000 0 202,470 31‐Jan 14‐Feb 28‐Feb 48 IDP camps as of 1 September. The KRCS, 13‐Mar 157,958 There has been an increasing27‐Mar trend of IDP movement to, and settlement in, areas other than their pre-displacement homes.