IOM – Kenya: New funding provides critical psychosocial support to internally displaced

Kenya: New funding provides critical psychosocial support to internally displaced


IOM has received US$ 504,000 from the Norwegian government to provide critical psychosocial support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kenya.

Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Elisabeth Jacobsen made the announcement yesterday as she accompanied the Norwegian Minister for Environment and International Development on a tour of IDP camps in the North Rift Region. Continue reading

CAFOD – Healing emotional scars of war

Healing emotional scars of war


CAFOD is helping people to overcome their traumatic experiences through counselling and play therapy following the election violence in Kenya

“It was late at night when gangs came and told us to get out” recalls fourteen-year-old Grace, sitting quietly outside the shelter she now calls home in a temporary camp in Nairobi.

“I was asleep and I heard the knock of strangers on the door. We were so scared.

“My mum told us to get out without taking anything and not to look back. On the street there was lots of screaming. People were running and some had been beaten”.

“We arrived here not knowing where we were going. I didn’t sleep that night.

“When the morning came, it was so full of people. Some were crying. Two days later they came with clothes and food.”

More than 1,500 people have died as a result of the disputed elections, and an estimated 600,000 have fled their homes.

Losing everything

CAFOD is supporting local organisation Mama na Dada Africa, who are providing counselling for women and play therapy for children traumatised by their experiences. Continue reading

IOM assists displaced people to return home

Kenya: IOM assists displaced people to return home


Following the signing of the peace agreement between the Kenyan government and the main opposition party, the Orange Democratic Movement, IOM is providing transport to thousands of people displaced in Kenya by violence at the start of the year so that they can return to their former homes.

Assistance so far has been given to more than 1,600 displaced people who had been taking shelter at the Noigam camp in Rift Valley Province to the Geta Farms in the North Rift. Another 3,000 people will be returned home in the next two weeks.

Approaching rains ahead of the planting season is the main reason why returnees are choosing to go back to their farms. Continue reading