DECLARATION OF DISASTER FOR KENYA FLOODS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 005076

SIPDIS

AIDAC

SECSTATE FOR AF/C
AID FOR DCHA MHESS, WGARVELINK, LROGERS. DCHA/OFDA FOR
KLUU, GGOTTLIEB, AFERRARA, ACONVERY, CGOTTSCHALK,
KCHANNELL, ATRACY
AFR/EA FOR JBORNS
USUN FOR EMALY
BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER
ROME FOR FODAG
NAIROBI FOR OFDA JMYER; REDSO/FFP NESTES
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PREL SO KE
SUBJECT: DECLARATION OF DISASTER FOR KENYA FLOODS


1. Summary: The October to December 2006 rains have
been exceptionally heavy throughout Kenya resulting in
serious flooding in the Coast, Western and Northeastern
Provinces directly affecting approximately 300,000
persons and with 23 recorded deaths so far as reported
by Kenya Red Cross (KRC) and various media sources. The
rains have caused destruction of infrastructure, with
bridges and roads washed away, cutting off access of
vulnerable communities to traders and relief supplies.
Crops in farmlands have been destroyed, with fear of
renewed food insecurity looming in affected districts.
In response to the flood crisis, Ambassador Ranneberger
declares a disaster due to the catastrophic flooding in
affected regions of the country and requests disaster
assistance. End Summary.

El Nino Wrecking Havoc in East Africa


2. In Northeastern Kenya, heavy rains caused flooding
in Mandera, Moyale, Marsabit Districts and in Garissa
District where about 24,000 resident Kenyans and
approximately 100,000 Somalis residing in the Dadaab
Refugee camps have been directly affected. The Tana
River broke its banks when the Kiambere and Kamburu dams
released waters, causing extensive flooding throughout
Tana River and Garissa Districts. The main roads from
Garissa north to Mandera and Dadaab are impassable. The
majority of the districts in Northeastern Province
currently affected by the floods are only just
recovering from the effects of the prolonged drought,
thus further stressing communities with repeated shocks.


3. Severe flooding has been reported in Kwale District
in Coast Province where five bridges and most roads have
been destroyed. The main road from Mombassa to Kwale is
currently cut off, impeding the flow of relief food and
supplies. Kilifi and Mombassa Districts in Coast
Province are also impacted by the floods where 16 people
died due to drowning and mudslides. According to the
KRC, about 60,000 people in this region have been
affected.


4. Western Kenya has also been hit hard; people in
Budalangi and Bunyala Divisions in Busia District are
moving to higher ground due to flooding that is
destroying crops about to be harvested. In Kisumu
District in Nyanza Province, the KRC is also reporting
extensive flooding in some lowland divisions. Central
Province has not been spared as people are being
displaced in Thika and surrounding locations due to
flooding conditions.

Impact of Floods on Health


5. Diarrhea cases have risen dramatically in all
regions affected by floods. A few cholera cases have
been reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Moyale,
Mombassa and Kwale where water sources have been
contaminated, latrines collapsed and water systems
destroyed. Other water-borne diseases, such as typhoid
and amoeba, are expected to increase in coming days.
There is also concern that malaria will increase due to
standing water.

Responses to Date


6. The Kenya Red Cross is responsible for Rapid
Response Emergency Coordination in support of the
Government of Kenya Office of the President, Minister
for Special Programs. UN agencies and non-government
organizations (NGOs) are also providing relief

NAIROBI 00005076 002 OF 002


assistance as well as Kenya military. WFP is
coordinating the airlift of food and supplies to
affected areas, KRC, UNICEF and NGOs are providing non-
food items such as blankets, mosquito nets, water
containers, water purification supplies, and drugs as
well as supplemental food items to flood victims. The
Kenya Army is building and repairing bridges and roads
in the worst affected districts.


7. The USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance
(OFDA) currently has emergency drought assistance
programs ongoing with six NGOs and UNICEF in the
Northeastern and Coast Provinces targeting health, water
and sanitation. OFDA partners have the flexibility to
divert current OFDA resources to respond to emerging
flood conditions and OFDA is processing one such
request. USAID Kenya and OFDA Regional Advisors are
maintaining communications with partners, GOK ministries
and UN agencies.

Disaster Declaration


8. As Ambassador, I hereby declare that an emergency
situation exists in Kenya due to flooding, and that it
is in the interest of the U.S. Government to respond to
the crisis. The emergency is beyond the capability of
the GOK to respond and it will accept USG assistance.
The Kenya Red Cross has a country-wide network and is
leading the emergency response in coordination with
other implementing agencies and has been designated to
receive 100,000 USD from USAID/OFDA to facilitate
emergency relief assistance to Kenya flood victims, in
response to its public appeal for assistance.
RANNEBERGER