For immediate release
4 February 2008
CAFOD responds to Kofi Annan's call for aid
As mediation talks in Kenya's disputed presidential elections turn today to address the worsening humanitarian situation in the country, Catholic aid agency CAFOD has pledged an initial ã120,000 for vital humanitarian aid to help the immediate needs of tens of thousands of people.
United Nations chief Kofi Annan set up a framework for talks on Friday, beginning with the humanitarian emergency. CAFOD is providing items essential for survival to over 53,000 Kenyan citizens who have been driven from their homes as a result of the political and ethnic violence.
CAFOD is supporting local partners to supply blankets, maize flour, porridge, beans and cooking oil, as well as trauma counselling for both victims and witnesses of the conflict, working in the worst-affected Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western, Nairobi and Coastal provinces of Kenya.
CAFOD is concerned that a food and humanitarian crisis looms as the continuing lack of political resolution threatens people's coping mechanisms and livelihoods. The insecurity is resulting in the economy losing an estimated $30million (ã15million) a day, with fields lying unharvested and factories falling silent, many people are unable to earn a living.
CAFOD will continue with the provision of essential relief items, but is also trying to build a peaceful future by supporting local grassroots peace and reconciliation efforts between communities and, crucially, looking for ways to resettle the displaced without creating new conflicts in host communities
On Sunday, as many Kenyans flocked to churches for a day of prayers, the Catholic Church of Kenya continues to provide a frontline response around the country, and a strong voice calling on communities to refrain from violence and for the political leaders to work towards a peaceful solution, so that people can return to their daily lives.
According to the Kenyan Red Cross, so far over 300,000 people have been made homeless and more than 800 people have died.
For further information or interview requests, please contact Bridget Burrows, CAFOD Communications Officer Horn and East Africa, Nairobi Office, on + 254 (0) 733 389 895 or bburrows@cafod.or.ke
Notes to editors:
1. CAFOD is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, part of the Caritas International global network of over 162 Catholic aid agencies.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
A looter is chased by a group of Kisii men in the town of Chepilat February 4, 2008. Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan brought Kenya's rival sides together on Monday to ...
