Kenya |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declarations:
Complex Emergency, Floods, Drought
OFDA Response:
Agriculture and food security, emergency relief supplies, health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene
OFDA Preparedness:
Flood mitigation
Latest OFDA Report:
Kenya Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #18 (56kb PDF)
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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Complex Emergency, 01-03-2008
Incidents of violence and looting related to disputed presidential election results erupted across Kenya beginning December 30. As of January 2, the turmoil had displaced an estimated 100,000 people primarily in western areas, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society. Media reports indicate between 150 and 300 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries as a result of election-related violence.
On January 3, U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger declared a disaster due to the effects of election-related violence. In response, USAID/OFDA is providing $200,000 through USAID/Kenya to the Kenya Red Cross Society for the purchase and distribution of emergency relief supplies, including blankets and shelter material, for communities displaced by the violence. USAID/OFDA staff in Kenya are monitoring the situation and coordinating with other U.S. and international agencies to facilitate humanitarian assistance to affected populations.
Additional Disaster Declarations:
Floods, 11-28-2006
Unusually heavy rainfall in October and November caused widespread flooding in many parts of Coast, Western, and North Eastern provinces of Kenya. According to aid agencies, more than 700,000 people were affected by the flooding, including 100,000 refugees at the Dadaab refugee complex in North Eastern Province. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported an increased incidence of water-related diseases stemming from disrupted water supplies. In addition, significant damage and destruction to roads and infrastructure disrupted access and the provision of humanitarian supplies to affected areas. Flooding also destroyed crops and farmland, raising concerns over the longer term food security situation in flood-impacted regions.
On November 28, U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger declared a disaster due to the cumulative impact of the flooding. OFDA is providing $100,000 to the Kenya Red Cross Society to support emergency relief assistance to flood victims. In addition, OFDA supports ongoing emergency assistance programs with six non-governmental organization partners and the U.N. Children's Fund in the affected areas, targeting health and water and sanitation sectors.
Floods, 11-15-2006
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Children from pastoralist households benefit from USAID-funded interventions during the 2006 drought in Kenya. |
Heavy rainfall since mid-October compounded by rains between November 9 and 14 caused widespread flooding in parts of Kenya.
In particular, the refugee camp complex at Dadaab in North Eastern Province sustained severe damage as a result of the flooding, which
directly affected an estimated 100,000 refugees, killed 2 people, and left more than 72,000 people homeless. In addition, significant damage
and destruction to roads and infrastructure disrupted access and the provision of humanitarian supplies to the affected camps.
On November 16, U.S. Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger declared a disaster due to the impact of the flooding. The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), U.N. World Food Program (WFP), U.N Children's Fund (UNICEF) and their non-governmental organization partners coordinated response efforts. The Combined Joint Task Force for the Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) assisted in airlifting relief supplies to Dadaab. OFDA responded through ongoing emergency assistance programs with CARE and
UNICEF in the affected areas targeting health, water and sanitation.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses in Kenya, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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