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Kenya

Kenya: Mandera Floods Information Bulletin No. 5

The Kenya Red Cross Society's mission is to build capacity and respond with vigor, compassion and empathy to those affected by disaster and 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. 3 October/2008 reflects the information available at this time.

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; 254.20.3950000 Fax 254.20.60.35.89

Dr. James Kisia, Deputy Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society, Email; kisia.james@kenyaredcross.org Phone 254.20.60.35.93; 254.20.3950000 Fax 254.20.60.35.89

Mr. Titus Mung'ou, Public Relations Officer, Kenya Red Cross Society, Email; info@kenyaredcross.org Phone 254.20.60.35.93; 254.20.3950000 Fax 254.20.60.35.89 Kenya Red Cross adheres 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 programmes or operations, or for a full description of the Society's profile, please access the Kenya Red Cross Website at http://www.kenyaredcross.org or the Federation's Website at http://www.ifrc.org

SITUATION

Floods, Clan Conflict and Security Operation

A joint military operation in Mandera District has been scaled down but regular patrols have been intensified in areas that experienced recent clan conflicts. However, the locals remain scared, frightened and in hiding as most homes market centers have been deserted by people.

There is general fear among the residents following the combined security operation that forced hundreds to seek refuge in the neighboring border towns of Bulla Hawa and Damasa in Somali and Suftu in Ethiopia.

At least 20 people are still admitted at district hospitals, 12 of them in Elwak District Hospital and eight in Mandera District Hospital. Others have not been reached in remote areas due to fear of the military operations. Over the weekend, many casualties started streaming from their hideouts and were treated in hospitals. The influx of patients in the hospitals has been attributed to reduced military operations in some areas. There are people were serious injuries and deaths have been reported in the villages. One person died while being transferred from Elwak District Hospital to Mandera District Hospital.