BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
Note: The last fact sheet was dated March 12, 2008.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
- Population displacement and increased
costs of agricultural production related to the post-election crisis threaten
to reduce land cultivation by up to 30 percent in the upcoming long rains
planting season, which is likely to result in decreased food production
and negatively impact food security throughout Kenya, according to a joint-Government
of Kenya (GOK), U.N., and relief organization short rains assessment conducted
in February 2008.
- Multiple humanitarian agencies report concern over declining food security
among populations affected by the post-election crisis, as well as prolonged
humanitarian needs among internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities.
An estimated 150,000 IDPs are expected to remain in camps at least through
the end of 2008, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS). In addition,
findings from USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) field
assessments indicate that families hosting IDPs are draining existing household
resources to meet food and additional needs of those displaced since early
2008.
- In response to the evolving humanitarian situation involving extended
population displacement and disrupted livelihoods and food security for
affected populations in central and western regions, international relief
agencies are working to revise the inter-agency Emergency Humanitarian
Response Plan released in January.
- The USAID/DART continues to conduct field assessments throughout affected
regions of central and western Kenya, engage with U.N. and partner relief
agencies to identify evolving humanitarian needs, and facilitate coordination
and information sharing regarding response efforts.
NUMBERS AT A GLANCE | SOURCE | |
Conflict-Affected Population at Risk of Poverty(1) | 2,000,000 | The World Bank - January 18, 2008 |
IDPs in camps | 234,725 | KRCS - March 3, 2008 |
Estimated IDPs within host communities | 270,000 | KRCS - February 19, 2008 |
Deaths | 1,020 | NDOC(2) - March 11, 2008 |
Refugees in Uganda | 12,000 | UNHCR(3) - February 26, 2008 |
FY 2008 HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED TO DATE
USAID/OFDA Assistance to Kenya.........................................................................................................................$5,736,498
USAID/FFP(4) Assistance to Kenya........................................................................................................................$39,719,000 State/PRM(5) Assistance to Kenya..........................................................................................................................$10,843,105
Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Kenya............................................................................$56,298,603
CURRENT SITUATION
- The USAID/DART reports that while some humanitarian organizations in
Nakuru, Rift Valley Province, are preparing for IDP returns to pre-crisis
homes in the coming weeks and months, official IDP numbers are rising in
most area sites. Relief staff note several factors leading to increased
figures at camps, including the arrival or return of IDPs seeking food
and shelter as host communities are increasingly unable to provide support,
and others seeking livelihoods assistance or compensation for lost assets
and property as a result of post-election violence.
- Based on findings from a USAID/DART field assessment in Rift Valley Province
in mid-March, IDPs remaining in camps cite fear of ongoing insecurity in
areas surrounding their pre-conflict homes. Aid agencies in the province
are assisting in the consolidation of smaller camps into larger sites to
improve the provision of humanitarian services to affected populations.
Notes
(1) While exact estimates of the total
population affected by post-election violence vary, the World Bank estimated
that 2 million Kenyans may be driven into poverty as a result of the ongoing
complex emergency.
(2) The GOK's National Disaster Operations Center (NDOC). The number of
deaths reported by NDOC only includes those confirmed by area hospitals
and morgues. The complete number of deaths is still not known.
(3) Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
(4) USAID's Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP)
(5) U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
(State/PRM)