The Kenya Red Cross Society's mission is to build capacity and respond with vigour, compassion and empathy to the victims of disaster and those at risk, in the most effective and efficient manner. It works closely with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries.
In Brief
This Information Bulletin (no. 2/2007) reflects the information available at this time.
All Kenya Red Cross Society assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. For support to or for further information concerning the Kenya Red Cross Society programmes or operations, or for a full description of the Society's profile, please access the Kenya Red Cross Society Website at http://www.kenyaredcross.org or the Federation's Website at http://www.ifrc.org
The Situation
Heavy rains resulting to flooding have hit the coastal towns of Mombasa, Kipini, Kilifi, Mpeketoni, Witu and Malindi affecting a total of 22,953 people as of 7th June 2007. As the rains continue to pound the Kenyan coastline, more people are expected to be affected and displaced. Most of the displaced people are living with neighbours, friends and relatives in areas that have not been affected. The onset of the flooding has also caused destruction of the roads and bridge infrastructure, making movement of people and goods difficult. Fears of health emergencies are emerging with the collapsing of sanitation facilities.
Kilifi
Flooding in Kilifi has affected 5,700 people with many homes submerged and houses destroyed. Crops have also been destroyed in large fields leaving many residents dependent on relief food to cope for the few next weeks. There are also fears of malaria due to stagnant water, which are serving as a mosquito breeding ground. Destroyed latrines are posing a serious health risk among the communities affected. Though water levels have gone down as the rains have subsided, the situation is still precarious.
Mpeketoni And Witu
Heavy showers have pounded Mpeketoni for the past two days affecting 10,218 people both in Mpeketoni and Witu. Watemere farms are completely flooded and not accessible. Most villages are completely submerged and many houses destroyed or damaged. Most crops have also been washed away. Mukuru Bridge in Mpeketoni has been washed away and most school going children affected as they are unable to access the schools. This collapsed bridge has also caused inaccessibility problems for the nearby communities. 1,428 pupils and learning in Bomani, Lakeside, Mungumoine and Kangaza primary schools were affected by floods, as well as six nursery schools. Due to collapsed latrines and sanitation systems there is now a growing threat of cholera and bilharzia outbreaks, as well as other waterborne diseases. Malaria cases have also been reported and are emerging as a major problem.
Mombasa
Rains have currently stopped in Mombasa giving the residents a chance to recover from floods that have devastated the infrastructure and some weak houses and makeshift structures. 2,835 people have been affected as more displacement expected if the rains persist. In Bamburi, poor water drainage systems have caused the accumulation of water and resulted in the submerging of a number of houses. In Bangladesh, a number of makeshift houses have been damaged or destroyed. Flooding has also been reported in Likoni.
Malindi
Currently, floods have affected 876 people in Magarini, Bomani, Marekebuni, Vijana Heri, Kogombani, Majenjeni, Fundisa, Gongoni, Ngomeni and Janda locations in Malindi District. Most houses have collapsed. The water is receding as the rains have stopped.
Kipini
The community in Kipini is agro-pastoralist and depend of farming for their livelihood. Their farmlands are underwater and this has significantly affected their food support structures. Approximately 1,200 people have been displaced in Kau, while in Kilelengwani and Ozi areas, inaccessible problems have been experienced. It is not clear how many people have been affected in these two areas as half of the communities are underwater and currently completely cut off. There are approximately 3,000 people living here.
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
- Mr. Abbas Gullet, Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society, Email; gullet.abbas@kenyaredcross.org Phone 254.20.60.35.93; 254.20.60.86.81/13 Fax 254.20.60.35.89
- Dr. Asha Mohamed, Deputy Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society, Email; mohamed.asha@kenyaredcross.org Phone 254.20.60.35.93; 254.20.60.86.81/13 Fax 254.20.60.35.89
- Mr. Ahmed Abdi, Head of Department, Disaster Preparedness and Response, Kenya Red Cross Society; Email; abdi.ahmed@kenyaredcross.org Phone 254.20.60.35.93; 254.20.60.86.81 Fax 254.20.60.35.89
- Mr. Anthony Mwangi, Public Relations Manager, Kenya Red Cross Society, Email; info@kenyaredcross.org Phone 254.20.60.35.93; 254.20.60.86.81/13 Fax 254.20.60.35.89