IOM will construct over 5,100 shelters for displaced people returning home after post-election violence nearly two years ago in Kenya's Rift Valley Province.
The first 1,784 shelters will be built over the next six weeks in the Wareng district following the signing of an agreement between IOM and the Kenya government which received US$1.8 million from the African Development Bank to help address ongoing housing needs of those displaced by the violence.
Another 3,400 shelters will be built in another two rounds of construction in Uasin Gishu.
IOM has worked closely with the Kenyan government since the violence erupted in late 2007 and early January 2008 to support the early recovery of communities and those internally displaced. Particular focus has been on stabilizing communities through reestablishing the livelihoods of those worst affected by the violence and in shelter reconstruction.
With funding from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), IOM has already constructed 700 low-cost houses in Molo, Uasin Gishu and Lugari Districts of the Rift Valley Province in 2008. This year, funding from the Japanese government has led to the construction of another 8,650 shelters in six districts, the provision of livelihood support for more than 10,000 families and efforts to support peace and reconciliation.
For more information, please contact: Jerotich Seii-Houlding, IOM Nairobi, Email jseiihoulding@iom.int Tel: +254 20 4444174