World Vision Kenya Launches National Flood Response

The current floods in Kenya are devastating has affected half of the country, claiming hundreds and impacting thousands
The current flooding in Kenya are devastating has affected half of the country, claiming hundreds of lives and displaced over 180000 persons. World Vision Kenya has launched a national response to help the impacted children and families.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Hopelessness and desperation are what welcome you to Mathare North Primary School, the temporary rescue centre for the Mathare floods-affected families. The centre, a temporary home for women, children, the elderly and the sick is hosting about 200 families, sleeping on the cold floor of the Mathare North Primary multi-purpose hall.

This is the desperate situation in most parts of the country as Kenya continues to register heavy rains since mid-March 2024, leading to mass flooding due to the combined effects of El Niño. The country has been heavily affected by the El-Nino floods which began in September 2023, disrupting lives and livelihoods.

As of Monday, April 29th, the Government of Kenya reports indicate that approximately 150,365 people have been displaced by the ongoing rains, with 169 deaths recorded as floods swept through almost half of Kenya.

Children are the most affected in this situation and families are now relying on humanitarian support to meet their basic emergency needs, such as food, shelter, warm clothing and medical supplies. The floods have left many children in distress, as their futures remain uncertain with schools expected to open this week. Learning has been disrupted, and the school going children have nowhere to go. The temporary rescue Centre is not safe either. As the rains continue to increase, the school risks being flooded and marooned again, thus causing more havoc to the affected families.

The World Vision Kenya Disaster Response team is assessing the flood situation at Mathare North Primary School, a temporary rescue Centre for the floods-affected families of Mathare slums. This is one of the schools that has been affected by the floods.
The World Vision Kenya Disaster Response team is assessing the flood situation at Mathare North Primary School, a temporary rescue Centre for the floods-affected families of Mathare slums. This is one of the schools that has been affected by the floods. ©World Vision Photo /Felix Pilipili.

Kenya's Ministry of Education, on Monday, postponed the start of the new school term by one week. A statement issued by the Ministry of Education reads, "The devastating effects of the rains in some of the schools are so severe that it would be imprudent to risk the lives of learners and staff before watertight measures are put in place to ensure the adequate safety of all affected school communities."

With the floods affecting learning materials for children in Mathare, volunteers try to dry the books on top of the roof of Mathare North Primary School in Nairobi
Kenya's floods disrupt school reopening, leaving teachers and parents to attempt to salvage soaked learning materials on the roof of the classrooms of Mathare North Primary School. ©World Vision Photo /Felix Pilipili.

Many schools, especially in the urban informal settlements of Nairobi County, are submerged and classrooms marooned. Those that remain safe are now providing a haven for families affected by the floods. 

Nairobi County has been listed among the counties that have been greatly affected, with a significant death toll of 32 and 16,909 households displaced by the ongoing heavy rains.

World Vision Kenya launched a National Flood Response on Saturday, 27th April 2024, at the Mathare North Primary School rescue centre. Speaking at the launch, Roysambu Assistant County Commissioner Samwel Macharia urged the affected families to be vigilant as they "are not ready to lose more bodies."

Roysambu Assistant County Commissioner Samwel Macharia addresses the community and stakeholders during the launch of World Vision Kenya’s National Flood Response on Saturday 27th April in Mathare, Nairobi County.
Roysambu Assistant County Commissioner Samwel Macharia addresses the community and stakeholders during the launch of World Vision Kenya’s National Flood Response on Saturday 27th April in Mathare, Nairobi County. ©World Vision Photo Felix Pilipili

In response to the emergency caused by floods, the organisation delivered Cash Transfers worth Ksh 10.3 million to 1,000 affected households in Mathare. Each targeted household is set to receive Ksh 10,000.

World Vision Kenya’s National Director, Gilbert Kamanga, said the donation was meant for 1,000 households, with 147 families hosted at the temporary rescue centre becoming the first beneficiaries.

"We are providing Sh10,000 for each household, and we will increase it as resources come our way because we know that the number of people affected keeps rising," he said.

A classroom at Mathare North Primary School has been flooded, resulting in the loss of textbooks and writing materials for the school children. The school is now appealing for support.
A classroom at Mathare North Primary School has been flooded, resulting in the loss of textbooks and writing materials for the school children. The school is now appealing for support. ©World Vision Photo/Felix Pilipili

Kamanga further stated that World Vision has released KSh. 50 million towards flood disaster management and response in 37 counties nationwide to address urgent life-saving needs. He adds, "We have released this initial response, and we are hoping to continue to fundraise," he said

“We target to reach 84,775 people affected by the floods across the country, translating to 14,129 households. To achieve this, we require USD 2.2 Million.”  Mr Kamanga further indicated that the flood response will spread across the flood-affected regions to offer emergency humanitarian needs.
He called on various humanitarian organisation partners to join the initiative, aiming to protect children and vulnerable populations during emergencies.

Grace Munjuri, the Vice-Chair of the World Vision Kenya Board, urged responders to target all affected populations without discrimination. “We want all responders to promote a gender-sensitive response. Children, women, the elderly, and the terminally ill, who are the most vulnerable among the affected communities, should be intentionally targeted and protected from harm. In addition, there is an urgent need to also focus on psychosocial support for the affected populations.”

A parent from Mathare North Primary School is seen rescuing equipment following heavy floods that have destroyed valuables of unknown value.
A parent from Mathare North Primary School is seen rescuing equipment following heavy floods that have destroyed valuables of unknown value. ©World Vision Photo/Felix Pilipili

Mathare youth rescue team leader, Daniel Ochieng, welcomed the donations from World Vision Kenya, calling for more collaborations from the National and County Governments and Non-State actors to alleviate the suffering of children and families who have been temporarily hosted at the rescue Centre in Mathare.

By Felix Pilipili and Jared Ontobo, Communication Specialists, World Vision Kenya

Disaster Management Emergencies & Disaster Management