Update on Kenya violence:
Latest figures show that more than 500 Kenyans have died and a further 300,000 have been displaced in the turmoil that has rocked the once stable nation of Kenya.
The dispute has sparked an unprecedented level of violence in Kenya, with political supporters on different sides openly attacking each other, often resulting in bloody clashes with police. Although outright violence has significantly reduced in recent days, there remains a political stalemate, with many feeling pessimistic about imminent resolution. Further to this, there is an increasingly alarming humanitarian situation for the thousands of displaced who are in temporary camps.
From the field:
Reports from ActionAid staff in the field speak of continued clashes between groups of young men and the police, particularly in Kisumu and Nairobi. More violence is expected as the call for protest rallies across the country continues. The number of IDPs has been officially stated as 300,000, but there are suggestions that this could be closer to 500,000. Sanitation within camps is a major source of concern, along with the threat of an outbreak of malaria. The IDP camp in Nakuru remains the largest camp and there is a shortage of tents, leaving many without shelter and exposed to the rains. As is often the case in emergency situations, it is women and children who are particularly vulnerable. For women there has been a significant increase in cases of sexual violence and the vast majority of children are not able to attend school at present.
ActionAid's response:
ActionAid's main response to the violence has been to provide support to IDP camps in Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu. There are an estimated 5,000 IDPs in the Nakuru camp and, in response to increasingly poor sanitation, ActionAid has provided 8 toilets, and also supplies of sanitary towels to women. Similarly in Kisumu, where there are a further 5,000 IDPs, ActionAid has distributed 5000 packets of sanitary towels.
In Nairobi ActionAid Kenya has lent support through the Nairobi Chapel in providing sanitary towels, medical supplies and food. In response to high incidence of sexual violence, ActionAid in collaboration with the Red Cross, has supported the Nairobi women's hospitals to provide counselling services. So far 49 women have been admitted to the hospital and over 20 women are being counselled daily as out-patients.
In Mombasa ActionAid Kenya is working closely with the Red Cross and other civil society organisations on the grounds. Rice, flour, sugar, powdered milk and sanitary pads have so far been distributed to 700 people.
ActionAid is looking towards the longer term and preparing to facilitate peace building initiatives at the community level between opposing factions, particularly in Nairobi. ActionAid Kenya is also planning rehabilitation and reconstruction work to facilitate IDPs to make plans to return home and restore their confidence in the political system.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
A plainclothes police officer shoots with his rifle during a protest by opposition supporters in Nairobi's Mathare slum January 17, 2008. Kenyan police clashed with opposition protesters on Thursday in a ...
