Garissa University located in Garissa town in the North Eastern part of Kenya was attacked by terrorists at about 0500hours on 2nd April 2015. This attack was preceded by an explosion at the University entrance before the attackers moved into a nearby hostels and where they took the occupants hostage.
The Kenya security personnel responded, engaging the attackers. As at 1900hours 22 fatalities – 20 were flown to Nairobi and 2 buried in Garissa according to Muslim culture, 65 casualties have been received. Majority of the casualties have gunshot wounds and some with cuts received while trying to escape. As at 1900hours 50 hostages were released by the KDF and the operation was called to siege.
Government sources indicated 147 persons were killed in the attack that took more than 12 hours.
KRCS Response
The Kenya Red Cross Response teams were on the ground soon after the attack working closely with other command structures within the government. KRCS Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have deployed ambulances and paramedics at the scene.
• The Garissa County hospital had 120 units of safe blood available for transfusion with an initial projection need of 250 units in collaboration with KNBTS. So far 26 units have been transfused.
• KRCS Garissa team has conducted a mini blood donation at the Garissa Blood Transfusion Satellite Center and 83 was donated from the site.
• 80 units were received from Machakos and taken to the KNBTS and later flown to Garissa.
• On return, the first chartered plane was used to airlift critically injured cases.
• Due to the increased fatalities and limited morgue facility in Garissa, the KRCS chartered a second flight which transported 20 bodies to Wilson Airport and later transferred to Chiromo Mortuary in Nairobi at 2035 hours
• KRCS has set up Psychosocial, Counselling and tracing services at Chiromo Mortuary for the bereaved families, relatives and friends in Nairobi.
• KRCS will continue to offer RFL services in Garissa and Nairobi. As of 2nd April, 2015 21:00 hrs 259 were successfully accounted for and 156 tracing requests were received from various families. Tracing Hotline Numbers are 0715820219, 0729094864, 0729094786.
Coordination
KRCS has continued to work with IFRC, stakeholders, partners and other well-wishers. The county government, individuals from national government including Cabinet Secretary Internal Security, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Ministry of Health, the area MP, UN agencies, international rescue committee, MSF, NDOC, KNBTS among others.
Gaps
• Increased anxiety of missing persons and inadequate information flow on current situation.
• Due to the large number of expected bereaved family members, friends and relatives, the psychosocial support services may be overstretched.