Kenya: Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #14 (FY 2008)

Date: 28 May 2008

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Note: The last fact sheet was dated May 7, 2008.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

– The Government of Kenya (GOK) continues to facilitate the return of approximately 350,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from temporary shelters in camps and host communities to pre-crisis lands. Between May 2 and 22, the number of IDPs residing in camps decreased from 158,891 to 95,454 and the number of camps declined from 157 to 124, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS).

– Relief agencies report that the majority of returnees are farmers moving back to agricultural areas. Some IDPs, including some small business owners and landless individuals, continue to indicate a reluctance to depart camps without government assistance to help reestablish livelihoods. In addition, ongoing security concerns and the perceived need for further reconciliation is hampering returns in some areas.

– The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the GOK are working to register IDPs in host communities and return sites in order to provide targeted humanitarian and livelihood assistance to these populations. Registration is scheduled to be complete by June 30, although population movements are complicating the process.

– USAID/OFDA’s Early Recovery Team continues to monitor the returns process throughout affected areas of western Kenya, facilitate coordination and information sharing among U.N. and relief agencies, and work with implementing partners to support sustainable returns and early recovery.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE		SOURCE
Conflict-Affected Population at Risk of Poverty(1)	2,000,000	The World Bank – January 18, 2008
Estimated IDPs in camps and centers	95,454	KRCS – May 22, 2008
Estimated IDPs within host communities	196,000	NDOC(2) – March 26, 2008
Deaths(3)	1,020	NDOC – April 8, 2008
Kenyan Refugees in Uganda	2,000	UNHCR – April 18, 2008

FY 2008 HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED TO DATE

USAID/OFDA Assistance to Keny: $9,223,232
USAID/FFP(4) Assistance to Kenya: $56,960,000
State/PRM(5) Assistance to Kenya: $14,943,105
Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Kenya: $81,126,337

CURRENT SITUATION

Kenya: Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #13 (FY 2008)

Date: 07 May 2008

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Note: The last fact sheet was dated April 23, 2008.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

– According to USAID/OFDA staff, on May 5, the Government of Kenya (GOK) launched an initiative in Rift Valley Province to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to pre-crisis lands. USAID/OFDA staff report that IDP returns appear to be voluntary and note no evidence of forced returns to date. However, USAID/OFDA staff report concern regarding the sustainability of recent returns in some areas and the lack of GOK coordination with the humanitarian community prior to the implementation of the return operation.

– On May 2, the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) transitioned to an early recovery team, following improvements in Kenya’s political environment and stabilized humanitarian conditions in IDP camps and host communities. The demobilization of the USAID/DART reflects the shift from an acute emergency to early recovery in Kenya following post-election violence.

– USAID/OFDA will maintain a presence in Kenya to monitor the humanitarian situation; oversee USAID/OFDA-funded relief, early recovery, and disaster risk reduction programs; and facilitate coordination and information sharing regarding response and early recovery efforts.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE		SOURCE
Conflict-Affected Population at Risk of Poverty(1)	2,000,000	The World Bank – January 18, 2008
Estimated IDPs in camps and centers	158,891	KRCS(2) – May 2, 2008
Estimated IDPs within host communities	196,000	NDOC(3) – March 26, 2008
Deaths(4)	1,020	NDOC – April 8, 2008
Kenyan Refugees in Uganda	2,000	UNHCR(5) – April 18, 2008

FY 2008 HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED TO DATE

USAID/OFDA Assistance to Kenya: $9,223,232
USAID/FFP(6) Assistance to Kenya: $39,719,000
State/PRM(7) Assistance to Kenya: $10,843,105
Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Kenya: $59,785,337

CURRENT SITUATION

Kenya: Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #12 (FY 2008)

Date: 23 Apr 2008

BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Note: The last fact sheet was dated April 9, 2008.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

– The April 13 announcement of the formation of a coalition cabinet has led to a reduction in tensions in areas of Kenya affected by the post-election crisis. However, USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) staff caution that the overall security situation remains tenuous.

– On April 14, the U.N. and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) launched a revised appeal for $189 million targeting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other populations impacted by Kenya’s post-election violence, as well as families potentially affected by drought. The revised appeal supplements the original $41.9 million Kenya Emergency Humanitarian Response Plan announced on January 16 to assist 500,000 people affected by the postelection violence.

– On April 10, USAID/OFDA airlifted 300 rolls of plastic sheeting from USAID/OFDA’s Dubai warehouse to Eldoret town, Rift Valley Province, to upgrade existing camp shelter resources in response to protracted displacement needs compounded by the onset of the March rains. The emergency relief commodities, valued at more than $165,000 including transport, will improve shelter conditions for approximately 50,000 beneficiaries.

– 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 and early recovery efforts.

NUMBERS AT A GLANCE		SOURCE
Conflict-Affected Population at Risk of Poverty(1)	2,000,000	The World Bank – January 18, 2008
Estimated IDPs in camps and centers	157,585	KRCS(2) – April 16, 2008
Estimated IDPs within host communities	196,000	NDOC(3) – March 26, 2008
Deaths(4)	1,020	NDOC – April 8, 2008
Kenyan Refugees in Uganda	2,000	UNHCR(5) – April 18, 2008

FY 2008 HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED TO DATE

USAID/OFDA Assistance to Kenya: $6,222,429
USAID/FFP(6) Assistance to Kenya: $39,719,000
State/PRM(7) Assistance to Kenya: $10,843,105
Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Kenya: $56,784,534

CURRENT SITUATION

USAID – Humanitarian Assistance to Kenya (as of 23 Apr 2008)

USAID Map showing areas of assistance operations

MAP

ReliefWeb

Kenya: Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #11 (FY 2008)

Date: 09 Apr 2008

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Note: The last fact sheet was dated March 26, 2008.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

– On April 8, media sources reported increased tensions and street protests in Nairobi’s Kiberia slum and Kisumu, Nyanza Province, following the suspension of power-sharing agreement talks between Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga. USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) staff note concern for the potential of renewed violence and further displacement due to current tensions and insecurity.

– From April 2 to 6, the Director of USAID/OFDA visited Kenya and met with the USAID/DART, non-governmental organizations, and U.N. partners to assess the humanitarian situation following post-election violence. In addition, the Director participated in assessments of internally displaced persons (IDP) camps throughout Rift Valley Province, including Naivasha, Nakuru, Molo, Makutano, Timboroa, Burnt Forest, Cherangani, Geta, and Kitale and Eldoret Showgrounds. The team observed a need to upgrade existing camps shelter resources, particularly with the onset of the March to June rain, and continues to emphasize long-term camp management as a priority due to protracted displacement.

– 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
Estimated IDPs in camps and centers	169,789	KRCS(2) – April 8, 2008
Estimated IDPs within host communities	196,000	NDOC(3) – March 26, 2008
Deaths(4)	1,020	NDOC – April 8, 2008
Refugees in Uganda	12,000	UNHCR(5) – February 26, 2008

FY 2008 HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED TO DATE

USAID/OFDA Assistance to Kenya: $6,039,498
USAID/FFP(6) Assistance to Kenya: $39,719,000
State/PRM(7) Assistance to Kenya: $10,843,105
Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Kenya: $56,298,603

CURRENT SITUATION

Testimony of Chris Albin-Lackey on Behalf of Human Rights Watch – 7 Feb 08

Testimony of Chris Albin-Lackey on Behalf of Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch (Washington, DC)

DOCUMENT
7 February 2008
Posted to the web 8 February 2008

Following is the testimony of Chris Albin-Lackey on Behalf of Human Rights Watch at the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on African Affairs hearing on “The Immediate and Underlying Causes and Consequences of Flawed Democracy in Kenya.”

Thank you, Chairman Feingold, and Members of the Committee, for inviting Human Rights Watch to participate in this hearing. My name is Chris Albin-Lackey and I am a senior researcher with the Africa Division of Human Rights Watch. Just over a week ago I returned from a research mission that began our ongoing assessment of the human rights impact of Kenya’s post-election crisis. We will be carrying out more research on the ground in the coming weeks that will seek to document the effect of the ongoing violence on ordinary Kenyans, identify the individuals most responsible for fomenting it and contribute towards charting a way forward that addresses the underlying causes of the crisis.