In response to ongoing devastating floods in Kenya, the European Union has provided €1.5 million in humanitarian funding to assist the most affected families.
The funding will help provide emergency shelter and basic household essentials, emergency cash transfers, food and nutrition, drinking water and repair of damaged water and sanitation facilities as well as emergency health care and epidemics prevention.
“The European Union is saddened by the loss of life in Kenya from a dam burst in Solai and from extreme flooding in different parts of the country. The EU will do its part to assist the most affected by this tragedy. As members of one global family and humanity, we are committed to help people in crisis, wherever in the world they may be, and to bring relief to their suffering,” said Christos Stylianides, the EU’s Commissioner for Humanitarian aid and Crisis Management.
Background
Kenya has been facing ongoing floods, which have so far claimed the lives of over 170 people and displaced more than 300 000. On 9 May, the Patel dam in Solai area of Nakuru county, 190 km north-west of Nairobi, burst its banks after heavy rains, killing at least 40 people.
At least 40 counties have been affected by the flooding and over 8 000 hectares of farmland decimated, causing widespread damage to crops, livestock, and food stocks. The current flooding is likely to continue as heavy rainfall is forecast to continue for the coming weeks in the region.
Featured image: Flood rescues in Tana River County, Kenya. Photo: Kenya Red Cross
