The government in conjunction with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Saturday began distributing food supplies to families affected by floods.
In response to a formal request by the Government, WFP deployed a Mi-8 helicopter to deliver life-saving assistance to families in parts of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Tana River counties.
“While we have allocated relief supplies to meet the needs of families affected by flooding, we face a serious challenge in delivering them because of access constraints,” said Eugene Wamalwa, Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Devolution and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
“We have therefore requested WFP to mobilize a high-capacity helicopter to enable us to continue with relief activities.”
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Heading back North to resume Emergency air lifting operations of food and non food humanitarian support to Counties of @WajirCountyKE @Mandera_cgvt affected by floods that have damaged infrastructure and cut off villages. pic.twitter.com/z5srrFphDw
— Eugene L. Wamalwa (@EugeneLWamalwa) November 9, 2019
Since the start of the short rains in early October, floods have destroyed bridges and cut off major roads, especially in the Northeast, paralyzing transport.
The Kenya Meteorological Department says the rains in arid and semi-arid regions are so far two to three times above normal and are forecast to peak in mid-November.
“The Government of Kenya is taking a strong lead in reaching people whose lives have been affected by the floods,” said WFP Country Director and Representative Annalisa Conte.
“WFP can draw on its global capacity to mobilize aviation services to support Government relief efforts and ensure the timely delivery of life-saving support.”
Over the years, WFP has worked very closely with the Ministry of Devolution and ASALs in monitoring the impact of disasters such as droughts and flooding and alleviating the suffering caused by them.
The Government says the floods have led to the loss of 38 lives, displaced 11,700 families and killed more than 10,000 animals.
