Government moves to assist NE residents affected by floods

The government has put in place measures across North Eastern region to assist residents affected by the devastating floods.

Regional commissioner John Otieno said they have partnered with other stakeholders to provide assistance to the communities.

“We have activated contingency plans and are working on multi-sectoral interventions to address these challenges comprehensively,” he said.

Otieno spoke on Sunday after touring several ID camps with  people displaced by the heavy rains.

He was accompanied by officials from the Kenya Red Cross Society and the World Health Organisation.

The last four days have seen heavy rains pound NE causing River Tana and River Dauwa in Garissa and Mandera counties to burst their banks.

The floods have left a trail of destruction, deaths and displacement of people.

Several roads have also been rendered impassable and farmlands destroyed.

He said the crisis, which has so far killed five people from Mandera and Wajir, requires a concerted and immediate response.

“With the help of our partners and other stakeholders, we will continue providing immediate relief to those affected by these floods. We will provide food and non-food items to the affected population and ensure that their basic needs are met during this challenging time," he said.

Otieno said supply of food commodities and other items have been affected by the floods after major roads were cut off.

“As a government will do everything that is within our means to make sure that our people do not starve and that they get the much needed help from wherever they are,” he said.

Otieno praised Kenya Red Cross Society for supplying house hold kits to the affected families.

He urged county officials to work closely with other partners to maintain good hygiene in the camps.

WHO risk communication officer Ibrahimi Gedi said they will conduct joint assessments with the three counties and other partners to assess the situation.

“There will also be daily briefing meeting across the three counties to ensure that all the affected people are given the necessary care,” he said.

He assured those in the camps of adequate supply of water, which will be coordinated through regional commissioner’s office.

Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif said more than 12,000 households from his county are currently affected by the floods, and approximately 4,000 households have been displaced from their homes.

Khalif, who spoke in Nairobi said several towns such as Elwak, Shimpir Fatuma, Damasa, dariqa, and Lafey have been submerged.

“The impact of these floods is widespread and has left many of our fellow citizens in dire need of assistance across the country," he said.

"These families are grappling with the loss of their homes, possessions, and in many cases, their livelihoods. The situation is dire and the numbers of affected individuals are expected to rise as the rain continues pouring."