OCHA Situation Report No. 5
Kenya: Floods
8 December 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Situation

1. Heavy rains continue to deluge many parts of the country. The most
affected areas include: North-Eastern Province, Western Kenya (Budalangi
area) and the central highlands. According to figures released last
week, approximately 723,000 people have been affected in different parts
of the country and about 60,000 people have been displaced in the
coastal, western and eastern provinces of Kenya. The total loss of life
due to the floods is currently estimated at approximately 100, with
widespread destruction of property and of infrastructure. Out of the
total number of affected, more than 315,000 people are cut off as a
result of destroyed road links and bridges. According to the Kenya
Meteorological Department, rain will persist in the month of December
and into January 2007 in some parts of the country.

2. Access remains extremely difficult, as transport systems have been
disrupted with some roads and bridges being completely washed away by
the flash floods. In addition, the above normal rainfall in the
catchment areas of the Turkwel and Massinga is expected to increase the
inflows into the dams that are already filled up.

3. According to the Kenya Red Cross Society's update on road
conditions/flooded areas, large areas in Mandera and Wajir Districts are
impassable by road. This has led to the dwindling of existing food
supplies in commercial outlets and has worsened access to food for the
communities, especially the vulnerable groups. On 7 December, the Kenyan
Red Cross Society accessed Ijara District, which was previously cut-off,
with three 6x6 trucks.

4. Efforts have intensified to reach displaced populations by air. One
military helicopter from the Government of Kenya, and two helicopters
hired by WFP are being used to airlift supplies. UNHCR is being assisted
by the US Airforce to airdrop supplies in the Dadaab refugee camps that
have been cut off from road transport for over a month. Priority areas
are Shantaabaq, Jara Jilla and Dadaab divisions.

5. In light of the rains and floods, WFP anticipates a temporary
increase to its caseload, December through February 2007 in line with
the forecast that the rains will continue into January. The total
caseload of people in need of WFP assistance over the next three months
is 2.7 million (2.4 million current EMOP target plus an additional
300,000 flood-affected).

6. Suspected cases of cholera have been reported in three districts
according to the Ministry of Health, which have resulted in four deaths
overall. These districts include: Mombasa, Kwale and Moyale. Increased
reports of diarrhoea and malaria cases have also been reported in all
flood-affected districts in the country. Several health centres are
reporting an increase in malnutrition among children.

7. Water and sanitation remains problematic, since most of the affected
communities depend on boreholes and shallow wells for their water
supply.

8. The Government estimates that more than 5,000 acres of farmland have
also been submerged, forcing farmers in the affected areas to harvest
their crops prematurely.

9. The flood disaster in the Horn of Africa is overshadowed by the
possibility of conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia that could bring
about widespread population displacement both within Somalia and across
borders into already flood affected and vulnerable areas of
north-eastern Kenya. UNHCR has reported that some Somalis continue to
migrate into Kenya as they perceive the possibility of civil war in
Somalia.

10. December 2006 forecast: The short rains seasons is normally expected
to end in December in most parts of the country. However, the
meteorologists predict that the current rains will persist into the
second half of 2007. Areas that are likely to receive near-normal to
above normal (enhanced) rainfall include the highlands in the west of
the Rift Valley (Kitale, Kericho, Nandi, Eldoret, Kakamega), Lake Basin
(Kisii, Kisumu, Busia), Central Rift Valley (Nakuru, Narok, Magadi),
Northwestern regions (Lodwar, Lokichoggio, Lokitaung), Central Highlands
(Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu, Embu, Meru, Nayuki), Nairobi area (Dagoretti,
Wilson, Kabete), parts of north-eastern Kenya (Moyale, Marsabit) and the
coastal strip (Mombasa, Mtwapa, Kilifi, Malindi, Masabaha, Lamu).

11. Areas that are likely to receive near normal rainfall with a slight
tendency to above normal rainfall include most of north-eastern Kenya
(Mandera, Wajir, Garissa) and south-eastern Kenya (Machakos, Makindu,
Voi, Galole).

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

  A- OVERALL RESPONSE

12. The two WFP hired helicopters became operational on 2 December 2006
and have conducted airdrops mainly for food, although non-food items
(NFIs) are also distributed. From the Government side, one military
helicopter is based in Garissa (North-eastern Province) and the second
will be used in Budalangi.

13. The Government has pre-positioned 7,000 MT of food in Garissa and
the National Operation Centre, which has been set up in Garissa, will
control the flow of relief aid in the neighbouring districts as well.

Health

  14. The second phase of the polio vaccination campaigns begun over the
last weekend and were concluded on 6 December in Thika and Nairobi
districts. Due to access constraints following heavy rains, these
campaigns will be conducted in the remaining districts at the start of
the new year.

15. Public Health Information Campaign: UNICEF has pledged support for
the printing and dissemination of IEC (Information, Education, and
Communications) materials including health awareness messages through
the local FM radio stations.

Coordination

16. The Kenya Red Cross has been appointed lead agency in the floods
operation in Garissa.

17. The Kenya Red Cross has facilitated the formation of health
committees for the temporary displaced camps, whose members are charged
with the responsibility of water treatment at the water sources.

18. A Kenya floods meeting took place on 1 December in Nairobi. The
meeting was chaired by the Office of the President. The Kenya Red Cross,
OCHA, WFP, OXFAM, the Kenya Meteorological Department, the Ministry of
Education and the Office of the President gave a synopsis of the current
floods and the response so far. Key issues emanating from the meeting
include the concerns over access, particularly to rural flood affected
areas, serious public health risks, the need to scale up coordination at
national and district levels. The NGO community through OXFAM has shared
information on their respective responses. More information on the NGO
"Who Does What Where" matrix, is continuously updated, based on
information received, by OXFAM.

19. The website www.kenyafoodsecurity.org now has a page dedicated to
information on the floods. The Arid Lands Department has been
encouraged, through the Drought Management Officers, to send daily
situation reports on the floods in the affected districts. The Kenya Red
Cross Society is carrying out advocacy activities throughout the
country. The national society has devised a comprehensive plan to
encourage the media to continue publishing information that will
generate further support from the public and corporate sector. Their
website - http://www.kenyaredcross.org - is being updated every two days
with floods updates.

20. While NFI's in total value of over Ksh 36 million (including for
example 20,900 blankets, 10,619 kitchen sets, 21,149 jerry cans) have
been distributed by the Kenya Red Cross to Kwale, Kilifi, Mathare,
Kuresoi, Lodwar, Nyeri, Kisumu, Garissa, Meru, Thika, Mwingi and Garson,
it is not sufficient and significant gaps still exist. The stock report
by Kenya Red Cross Society stock report states a deficit of 6,843
blankets, 13,444 kitchen sets, 29,055 jerry cans, 13,100 tarpaulins,
59,918 soaps, 9,301 mosquito nets and 522,426 chlorine tablets.

Mapping Expertise

21. A team of four technicians from MAP Action, an NGO that will support
OCHA to establish a "Who does what where" (and when) database and a
mapping exercise, has arrived to Kenya for two weeks. In Garissa, the
team provided coordination and information management support via the
Flood Relief Coordination Centre (FRCC), covering parts of North East
and Coastal provinces. Once the maps and the "Who does what where"
information has been generated, the exercise will be handed over to the
NOC (National Operations Centre).

Funding

22. IFRC: On 7 December, the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies launched a revised emergency appeal for 26.3
million Swiss Francs (21.9 million US$/ 16.5 million =80) to support the
Kenya Red Cross Society in its response to the current flooding
affecting most parts of the country, especially the northeastern and the
coastal regions. It aims to assist around 563,000 people over the next
four months. A total of USD 630,000 has already been allocated from the
Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Kenya
Red Cross Society (KRCS) to initiate the relief response operation. The
USD 21,8 million include the initially foreseen requirements of USD 7,9
million for which the Kenya Red Cross Society had issued a preliminary
appeal on 15 November 2006.

B- RESPONSE PER PROVINCE/DISTRICT

North-eastern Province, including Dadaab refugee camps

23. Most of the roads in Garissa remain impassable. Plans are in place
to airlift food using military helicopters to areas such as Shanta-Habak
division. Food distribution is continuing in accessible areas.

24. The Kenya Red Cross reported that there are more than 800 people in
IDP camps near Garissa where health is the major issue of concern. KRCS
is carrying out disease surveillance and hygiene education in the
community. A few cases of malaria have been reported.

25. According to UNICEF, malnutrition is reported as the top morbidity
in the Garissa Provincial Hospital. The number of admissions increased
from 12 in October to 33 in November. About one-third of admissions are
from the camps while the rest are from the municipality.

26. CONCERN has sent 600 kg of cholera kits and other assorted medicine
to Moyale district.

Dadaab refugee camps

27. UNHCR reported on 1 December that its airlift of emergency supplies,
which includes plastic tarpaulins and medical supplies for over 100,000
refugees in the Dadaab camps, have been stepped up with three flights
from Nairobi since 1 December and two more scheduled during the course
of this week.

28. Movement of the refugees from Ifo camp to higher grounds at Hagadera
camp, some 20km away, continues. So far 4,500 refugees have been
relocated while the total number of people arriving in Hagadera since 20
November as at 29 November is 6,090.

29. UNHCR and other agencies have started developing a new site (Ifo II)
in the higher parts of Ifo camp in an effort to find a more permanent
solution to the flooding problem. Around 1,000 refugees have already
moved to the new site. Temporary services such as health clinics,
communal latrines, water points and food distribution centres will be
constructed in the area. There are concerns over the rise in malaria
cases. More mosquito nets are being sent to hospitals. UNICEF announced
a stock of 40,000 mosquito nets ready for transportation. They will also
assist in providing soap, chlorine and emergency education kits. Cases
of diarrhoea and malnutrition are also reportedly rising rapidly.

30.  Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is trucking water to the new areas
in Hagadera and Ifo camps. Some 67% of latrines have been backfilled in
Ifo and 91% in Dagahaley. The construction of new latrines continued,
reaching 47 in Ifo and 31 in Dagahaley. A water tank has been installed
in the new health centre in Hagadera.

31. An analysis of morbidity and mortality trends over the past 5 weeks
was undertaken by the Gesellschaft fur technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ).

32. A mass information campaign is being started to urge refugees to
move from the worst flood-prone areas to the new site.

33. The Garissa-Dadaab road, the main access road to the refugee camps,
is impassable due to heavy rains and the road has been washed away in 3
sections.

Coast Province

34. Flooding in Mitpani in Garsen has resulted in the displacement of 45
families. The displaced population has been moved to Garsen. In Iskadyk,
97 families are displaced. Access to the area remains difficult although
the Red Cross undertook a distribution in Vumwe, 4km from Kulesa.

35. A river passing through Garsen town has flooded and the population
in the town has been placed on high alert. In Gamba location, 145
households have been displaced and one person reported missing. The
population in Mnazini are faced with crocodile infestation, while in
Lunga Lunga, a number of areas are not accessible. 50 households from
Peponi and 60 from Matomba are camped along Gamba road.

36. In total, an estimated 1,804 households have been affected. The
Kenya Red Cross is yet to reach 1,542 households - 641 are in Bahati
Mnazini and are camped at Kibaoni.

37. In Bura division, toilet slabs are urgently needed. A number of
primary schools are also still marooned and roads are impassable.
Therefore, it remains difficult to transport food and non-food items to
the estimated 700 families that are displaced. In addition, cases of
diarrhoea, abdominal pains, malaria and fever have been reported in the
area.

38. The Kenya Red Cross has managed to reach Bura-Tana. A total of 978
IDPs are in six IDP centres. Food and non-food items have been
distributed to 163 households.

39. Floodwaters from Garissa have reached Rhoka village and populations
are moving to higher grounds. The current worst hit area is Mnazini
Ndera location where there are no boats for evacuation. The Kenya Red
Cross is using small canoes to evacuate those marooned. However, the
canoes are not completely safe to use on the Tana as the river is
infested with hippopotami and crocodiles that could easily over turn the
canoes. The Kenya Wildlife Service has been requested to assist with the
wildlife boat, which has a capacity of 10 passengers per trip. The Kenya
Red Cross will support the operation with fuel and engine oil.

40. In Kilifi, the Ministry of Works has begun repairing damaged roads.
The Red Cross has also supplied 5 tins of 7,000 purification tablets for
the area.

41. In Lamu, the Kipini area has been completely cut off leaving 600
families marooned. The population can only be accessed by boats. The
Kenya Red Cross has requested assistance from the Kenya Air Force to
evacuate those affected. Plans are in the pipeline to also transport the
KRCS boat from Lamu town to assist in the evacuation.

42. Heavy rains also washed out sections of the main road through Tana
River district to North East Province. WFP has started food deliveries
to Garsen through Malindi.

Eastern/Central Province

43. Heavy downpours in Meru have caused flooding in Isiolo, though water
levels have reduced. The areas though remain inaccessible due to the
flooded roads.

44. In Meru South in Mitheru location, possibilities of more landslides
are high should the rains continue. The Kenya Red Cross has visited
Mutonga Quarry and sensitization is taking place among workers and
owners on the dangers of other landslides. The population is however
reported to be hesitant in moving from the quarry, as this is the area
where the population makes its daily living.

45. In Mwingi, 20 families have had their houses washed away while 85
acres of crops on farmland have been destroyed. Roads that were
completely cut off are now under repair.

46. WFP reports that the three dams in Machakos District have filled to
capacity.

Nyanza Province

47. Excessive rainfall from the Nandi Escarpment, into the Orba stream
in Kisumu district has left 30 families displaced and houses submerged
in Ombeyi. Two deaths were reported in Milenya and 30 persons have been
relocated to a primary school. 65 persons are displaced in Kigoche,
Nyalenda and Masara. The areas of Kogwedhi, Ayweyo and Sango Rota and
reportedly at risk of flooding.

48. In Dunga, 150 families have been affected by the floods and have
been moved to Nanga primary school. The Kenya Red Cross is supporting
the population with non-food items.

49. A total of 400 people are affected in Siaya district. The District
Commissioner and his team are currently carrying out an assessment.

50. In Nyando district, 163 people have been displaced and 557 affected
by the floods. The Kenya Red Cross has supplied non-food items to
support 200 families. In Migori/Nyatike, floods have been reported
however no displacement has taken place as of 30 November. A
continuation of the rainfall will however necessitate a need for
assistance.

51. Aside from the River Nyando, the Sondu Miriu has also burst its
banks. The Kenya Red Cross and local authorities on the ground are
carrying out an assessment. There are fears of an outbreak of malaria
and diarrhoeal diseases.

52. Assessment mission in Kisumu District: Representatives from UNICEF,
OCHA undertook a four-day rapid assessment mission in the western part
of Kenya from 30 November to 3 December. Preliminary results of the
assessment indicate that the Rivers Nyarenda, Nymasira, Miru, Sondu,
Yala and Nyando had burst their banks. At least 1,500 families have been
affected in Kisumu district while more than 12 000 families had been
affected in Budalangi.

53. The Kenya Red Cross has provided non-food items such as blankets,
mosquito nets, aqua tabs, utensils and soap. The District Commissioner's
office has supplied some foodstuff in the form of beans and cooking oil.
The private sector has also provided foodstuff. The District Officer 1
confirmed that, as a result of pre-positioning of food in the government
warehouse, there was adequate food available. He however appealed for
assistance with drugs (anti-malaria) and water and sanitation
facilities.

54. The mission found the affected population reporting symptoms of
malaria and diarrhoea.

55. The response coordination is being carried out through the District
Disaster Management Committee, which meets on a regular basis. The
committee members include the District Commissioner, Plan International,
AMREF (African Medical and Research Foundation), KRCS, Public Health
Office and other line ministries.

Central Province

56. In Njeengu location, Nyeri Municipality, about 35 households are
flooded leaving about 270 people displaced in an area that was formerly
a quarry. The Kenya Red Cross is negotiating with the Member of
Parliament of the area on how to move the population to a safer place.

57. The Kenya Red Cross is responding to the needs of 30 people in Ikinu
location who were marooned due to the floods.

Rift Valley Province

58. Heavy rainfall was reported in Lodwar on 29 November with very
little rainfall reported in Lokichoggio and Kakuma during the same
period.  The Kalobeiyi and Kawalase rivers are again passable.

59. A fact-finding mission in Keiyo District was conducted to establish
the scale of damage caused in the area after heavy rains that resulted
in floods and landslides. Some areas remain unreachable, including Epke
where a total of 11 houses have been destroyed by the floods and
boulders. In addition, maize farms and domestic animals have been washed
away.

60. In Katarakwa location, approximately 35km from Iten town, one person
was killed, three hospitalized and about 290 people were affected by the
floods. The affected population that includes a total of 100 children
below the age of 10 and 20 persons aged above 65 are currently sheltered
in classrooms at Toroplong Primary School. The population is suffering
from extremely cold conditions. Roads to the area have become
impassable. The terrain is steep and slippery, which has made it
difficult to carry relief items to the affected areas.

Western Province

61. In Busia district, 1,400 families have been affected. In Lugari, 100
families have been displaced and are camping at Lugari primary school.

62. OCHA is in close contact with the humanitarian community in Kenya
and will revert with further information as it becomes available. This
situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only:  Tel.   +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers
GVA:
  Mr. Alfred Nabeta
    E-mail: nabeta@un.org
    Direct Tel. +41-22-917 22.40
  Mr. Christophe Schmachtel
    E-mail: schmachtel@un.org
    Direct Tel. +41-22-917-1684

NYC:
  Ms Olla Hassan
    E-mail: hassano@un.org
    Direct Tel. +1-212-967-4331

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs Tel. +41-22-917-2653
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Tel. +1-917-367-5126

OCHA Kenya:
  Mr. Andrew Timpson
    E-mail: timpsona@un.org
    Direct Tel: +254-20-762-5155

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