The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in over 185 countries.
In Brief
Period covered by this Final Report: 29 July to 31 December 2005.
History of this Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF)-funded operation:
- CHF 200,000 was allocated from the Federation's DREF on 29 July 2005 to respond to the needs of this operation and to replenish disaster preparedness stocks distributed to the affected population. Refer to: http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/05/05ME045.pdf for the DREF Bulletin.
- This operation was expected to be implemented for 5 months; to be completed by 31 December 2005.
This operation was aligned with the International Federation's Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda Goals:
- Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
Background and Summary
Ethnic clashes in Marsabit, northern Kenya, have been a common occurrence for years, with raids and counter raids between various communities resulting, in many cases, to death, injuries, displacement and theft of animals. These clashes escalated to what is now termed as the Turbi Massacre of 12 July 2005; where 90 people were killed, property destroyed and over 7,500 people displaced. At least 68 children were orphaned due to the ethnic clashes. Out of the people who were killed, 22 were pupils from Turbi Primary School. The attack on the helpless children took place at the school just as pupils were preparing for their morning classes. As a result, this school was closed down.
Most of the animals were not recovered. Many farms belonging to the displaced families were also looted or intentionally destroyed resulting in food insecurity in the district. The Government of Kenya (GoK) sources put the official death toll at 135, including previous attacks and counter attacks prior to the massacre. 7,500 people were driven from their homes due to tension and widespread arson targeting people in far flung villages where security outposts were yet to be set up.
From the onset of the conflict, the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) moved swiftly - it was the first humanitarian agency on the ground - and within 24 hours of the attack, it had dispatched a team comprising of the disaster response officer and nine volunteers to carry out an assessment and oversee the distribution of 60 metric tonnes (MT) of relief food which included maize flour, beans and cooking oil. The relief food was dispatched to assist 3,000 affected people. The non-food requirements for this operation were substantially met by the KRCS. In addition, the national society released the following non-food items (NFIs): 1,567 blankets; 1,083 tarpaulins; 867 mosquito nets; 1,200 pieces of soap; 600 jerry cans and 1,083 kitchen sets.
For months, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) did not return to their homes due to the fear of attacks or because their houses and property were either looted or completely destroyed. Assessment reports by the KRCS indicated that the IDPs required emergency relief food and non-food assistance for at least five months. This was after the assessment team had interviewed community leaders, government officials and the displaced families. The families that were displaced, dispossessed and their houses burnt, were camped at the Administration Police camps for protection, while some were hosted by relatives. Many other schools were affected by the clashes and closed for a considerable period of time. Many pupils were displaced and moved to other schools, while some orphans could not resume school due to lack of fees to pay for their education.
A serious food security situation generalized across a number of countries in the greater eastern Africa region was witnessed in early 2006; a period which coincided with the final reporting for this operation. Kenya's northern arid and semi-arid regions were particularly affected by critical food insecurity and scarcity of water for both human and animal consumption. This prompted fresh assessments and the subsequent launching of a drought appeal for Kenya in January 2006. Refer to http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/06/MDRKE001.pdf for the Emergency Appeal. This necessitated the national society's active involvement, especially in terms of its reporting capacity, thus resulting, in part, to delays in reporting.
Coordination
The KRCS is the co-chair of the Rapid Onset Disaster Committee, which comprises: office of the President (Chair); the Meteorological Department; the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF); the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the World Food Programme (WFP); World Vision (WV); CIDRI(1); Action Aid as well as the ministries of health, special programmes and agriculture. Support for the affected people was channelled through the national society.
The GoK provided relief food comprising maize, beans, vegetable oil and powdered milk. It also set up an animal recovery unit to restore the livelihoods of families that lost their animals in the clashes. WFP donated 48 MT of Unimix. WV provided 1,267 blankets and 3,125 bars of soap, while UNICEF and Action Aid donated mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, bed sheets, emergency medical and education kits. The national society worked closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Safaricom and Celtel mobile phone companies donated three and two mobile lines respectively, to the national society for emergency use during the operation. Celtel also donated airtime worth KES 50,000. KRCS was the channel through which numerous other miscellaneous donations were received from the general public and distributed to the affected people in Marsabit.
The Media Owners Association established a joint approach by providing constant information and awareness to the public about the humanitarian crisis. In Marsabit district, the local authorities met frequently with the national society's staff during regular relief operation planning meetings. These meetings discussed support to the IDPs, the security situation and long-term solutions to the clashes.
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
In Kenya: Abbas Gullet, Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society, Email: gullet.abbas@kenyaredcross.org; Phone +254.20.30.35.93; Fax +254.20.60.35.89
In Kenya: Esther Okwanga, Federation Head of East Africa Sub-Regional Office, Nairobi; Email: esther.okwanga@ifrc.org; Phone +254.20.283.52.53; Fax +254.20.271.27.77
In Kenya: Getachew Ta'a, Acting Federation Head of East Africa Regional Delegation, Nairobi; Email: getachew.taa@ifrc.org; Phone +254.20.283.52.55; Fax +254.20.271.27.77 or Charles G. Byamugisha, Disaster Management Coordinator, East Africa Regional Delegation, Nairobi; Email: charlesgodfrey.byamugisha@ifrc.org; Phone +254.20.283.51.17; Fax +254.20.271.27.7
In Geneva: Amna Al Ahmar, Federation Regional Officer for East Africa, Africa Dept.; Email: amna.alahmar@ifrc.org; Phone +41.22.730.44.27; Fax +41.22.733.03.95
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org
Footnote
(1) In English: The International Centre
for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
In French: Le Centre international pour le règlement des différends relatifs
aux investissements (CIRDI)
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