Kenya crisis 2008

Summary

• More than 1,000 people have been killed and many more injured in violent clashes and rioting across Kenya, following the results of the general elections announced on 30 December 07.

• More than 300,000 people have been affected and/or displaced – some literally running for their lives as their houses burned to the ground – seeking refuge in police stations, churches and market centres.
• More than 5,000 Kenyans have crossed the border into Ugand, where they are being supported by the Ugandan Red Cross. 
• The British Red Cross appeal is supporting the Red Cross Movement’s response, delivering essential medical equipment, food and non-food items to the wounded and those affected in Kenya and neighbouring countries. To date, it has raised £148,000.

Background

The country has been engulfed in violence since the results of the general elections were announced on 30 December. The worst affected areas are the capital, Nairobi; the western provinces of Nyanza, Western and Rift Valley; and the eastern provinces of North Eastern, Eastern and Coast.

A number of towns were completely cut off as roads had been barricaded, making it difficult for humanitarian help and essential supplies to get through.

One of the most serious incidents happened near Eldoret, where a church was attacked and set on fire, killing dozens of people including women and children. According to local reports between 35-40 people died, 42 people sustained severe burns and many remain unaccounted for.

The violence is also interrupting the flow of goods, raising fears of serious shortages of essential items such as food and fuel in both Kenya and neighbouring landlocked countries dependent on Kenyan ports and trade routes.

The Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement response

In response to the extra demands being placed on hospitals and clinics, the Red Cross has also distributed medical kits and drugs to treat wounded people. The ICRC and Kenya Red Cross have both launched appeals to provide additional relief including food, household items and water and sanitation equipment to last several weeks. An ICRC surgeon has also been sent to the hospital in Eldoret, where the violence has been particularly severe.

Tensions remain high and given the uncertainty over the scale and duration of the crisis the Red Cross Movement is prepared to step up its work if the situation continues to deteriorate.

At present medical assistance is the priority but people will also need help for months as many have lost everything - their homes, crops or livestock.

The Uganda Red Cross has registered more than 5,000 people who have crossed the border into Uganda. They are being housed in three schools in Lwakaka, Malaba and Busia.

The conditions are very basic but the Uganda Red Cross is providing refugees with non-food items such as blankets, sleeping bags, pots and pans, soap and mosquito nets among other relief. It has also set up a first aid centre and is working with the ICRC to assess tracing and protection issues.

The Ugandan government has provided refugees with some food, and in Busia, local people have given them maize, beans and grain.

British Red Cross response

The British Red Cross opened an appeal on 4 January to support the work of the Red Cross Movement on the ground. It has raised £148,000.

The Department for International Development (DfID) has contributed £2 million:

• £1m towards the ICRC appeal, which has been channelled through the British Red Cross;
• and £1m which the British Red Cross is using to buy 21,000 family kits containing soap, tarpaulins and jerry cans among other relief items.

In the event that we raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help us prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters either overseas or here in the UK. The Kenya Crisis Appeal will help those affected by the situation, including those displaced to neighbouring countries. [Last updated 11.2.08]

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