Africa-Press – Kenya. The government has put set aside relief food and medicine for regions expected to experience sporadic rainfall this month as El Nino eases off.
The National El Nino Emergency and Disaster Response Command Centre said it has put together robust contingency plans.
The Meteorological Department has said January will be predominantly sunny and dry across the country.
However, specific regions including the Lake Victoria basin, Southern Rift Valley, South-Eastern lowlands, Highlands East of the Rift Valley, and South Coast region are expected to experience sporadic rainfall, it said.
The emergency command center said the emergency response targets regions that will experience flooding, displacement and infections.
“The State Department of Special Programmes has successfully distributed more than 4,604.6 metric tonnes of rice, beans, fortified flour and corned beef to affected counties,” it said.
Ministry of Health has already dispatched 257 metric tonnes of assorted supplies and products to affected areas.
Cholera treatment units have also been set up in strategic health facilities.
The centre said the number of displaced families has reduced to 15,208 across 79 camps.
This is a significant decrease from the initial 170 camps hosting 109,179 displaced households.
Organisations such as, the World Food Programme, Plan International, World Vision and Arid Lands Development Focus Kenya have been instrumental in implementing cash transfer programmes that have benefited 9,858 families, it said.
The centre said focused efforts have made to restore damaged infrastructure and this includes the repair of 7,878 affected schools.
“Road repair efforts are ongoing, with notable progress on the Gamba – Witu road in Tana River county and Kona Punda – Mororo in Garissa County.”
Approximately 174 people died during the El Nino rains, including 133 adults and 41 children.
The agricultural sector lost Sh16.26 billion following the destruction of 84,568 acres of crop and loss of 6,706 livestock.
Some of the counties affected are Lamu, Tana River, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Homabay, and Kitui, posing a serious threat to food security.
Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, Kenya Red Cross Society, and World Food Programme partnered to ensure aid reaches remote villages.
“The heightened state of readiness of emergency response teams, including the Kenya Navy and Kenya Coast Guard Service for search, rescue, and evacuation operations, underscores the collective dedication to safeguard communities against the challenges posed by the rains,” the centre said.
“We remain committed to provide necessary assistance and support to all affected regions and urge the public to stay informed and prepared for the changing weather conditions.”
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