KDF, Red Cross unite to provide aid to flood-affected areas in North Eastern

The Kenya Defence Forces on Wednesday joined in efforts with the Kenya Red Cross to distribute food to those affected by floods in parts of the North Eastern region.

In the humanitarian relief support operation conducted, KDF was joined by the Ministry of Defence led by CS Aden Duale in Wajir, Marsabit, Mandera and Garissa counties.

"Disaster response and management calls for immediate action from all civil authorities and, the Ministry of Defence, through the Kenya Defence Forces is not left out in addressing the ongoing flash floods," Duale said.

The exercise saw the distribution of tonnes of medicine, pharmaceutical products and non-food items to the community of Elwak Sub-county, Mandera County.

Duale was accompanied by Governors Mohamed Khalif (Mandera) and Ahmed Jir for Wajir.

According to the Red Cross, the El Nino rains are now affecting 33 counties.

The rains have caused havoc in more than 19 counties in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) and non-ASAL areas where residents are staring at risk of disease outbreaks as the raging floods maroon several homes. 

Some of the counties include Mombasa, Garissa, Tana River, Makueni, Marsabit, Kilifi, Kwale, Meru, Isiolo, Turkana, Samburu, Wajir, Homa Bay and Busia.

Major areas have been adversely affected by flooding leaving residents with less access to food and medicine.

Other places that received aid include Gherille Kenya, Handali East where 1.3 tonnes targeting 60 households were released.

In Konton, 1.1 tonnes targeting 80 households were given, Arbajan - 1.9 tonnes targeting 146 households, Athibohole- 2 tonnes targeting 156 households and Sariff received 2.6 tonnes targeting 200 households.

Elwak Sub-county received 7 tonnes and Kone (Tana River) got 2 tonnes.

Burder- 1.3 tonnes targeting 100 households, Diff- 1.3 tonnes targeting 100 households.

CS Duale also highlighted other areas which will have essentials delivered soon.

More essentials are planned for delivery in the following areas: Four trading centres in Sololo and North Horr Sub-counties in Marsabit County, four towns/ trading centres of Liboi, Hulugho, Fafi centre and Gurufa in Garissa County.

Also, two trading centres in Isiolo County will receive the essentials.

The Defence boss stated that he is working with the Ministry of Roads on opening up more roads.

"We shall open up the road network in order to allow free flow of people, goods and services in the next 10 days," Duale added.