The Scottish Government’s money has been split between Oxfam Scotland and Islamic Relief. Each agency’s response will receive £125,000.
Recent heavy rainfall has affected over 400,000 people across Kenya, leaving 350 dead or missing and forcing over 100,000 people from their homes in Nairobi alone. The relentless downpours have transformed roads into waterways, overflowed rivers and sewers, and destroyed homes.
Following the flooding, a government directive was issued resulting in many of the homes in Nairobi’s informal settlements being demolished.
Anne Mbuthia, a mother of seven from Landmawe, vividly recounts the chaos: “When it started raining, we thought it was normal rains, but then it started getting into the houses. By the second week, there was flooding and household items were soaked in water. Then the tractors came and tore down our homes. We lost hope because we didn’t have money to rent a house. Life changed for me. I ended up taking shelter in a local church.”
The funding, which comes from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund, will enable Oxfam and our partners to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to many people like Anne, reaching 1,445 flood-affected women and their households in Nairobi’s flood hit informal settlements of Mathare, Mukuru, Kayole, and Kibagare.
People will be provided with access to cash as well as water tokens to provide access to clean water through prepaid water dispensers. Community led hygiene promotion campaigns will also be conducted to reach 30,000 people, helping to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.
In addition to addressing the immediate need for clean water, the Scottish Government’s funding will also support survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), which has increased due to the floods. Mental health support and counselling services will be provided, along with coverage of medical expenses for GBV survivors.
Nelson Munyiri, Executive Director of Mukuru Youth Initiative, one of five local organisations who will work with Oxfam as part of the response, said: “Mukuru is an informal settlement and so many families are affected by the recent floods. We are appealing for support for families to get their livelihoods back. They are losing their food, their shelter, and even their loved ones during the floods. We are working with Oxfam to be able to support the many families affected.”
