Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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09NAIROBI2083 | 2009-10-01 12:21:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Nairobi |
INFO LOG-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 CA-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 DODE-00 DS-00 EAP-00 DHSE-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 VCI-00 H-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 LAB-01 MOFM-00 MOF-00 VCIE-00 DCP-00 NSAE-00 OIC-00 OMB-00 NIMA-00 EPAU-00 PA-00 MCC-00 GIWI-00 DOHS-00 SP-00 IRM-00 FMP-00 CBP-00 BBG-00 EPAE-00 IIP-00 SCRS-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 NFAT-00 SAS-00 FA-00 SWCI-00 PESU-00 SANA-00 /001W R 011221Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1205 INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY ASMARA AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI AMEMBASSY KAMPALA NSC WASHDC USEU BRUSSELS USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USMISSION USUN ROME IT USMISSION GENEVA |
UNCLAS NAIROBI 002083 |
1. On September 23 and 24, the Kenya U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) organized the 2010 Kenya Emergency Humanitarian Response Plan (EHRP) workshop to asses current and projected countrywide humanitarian conditions to inform the development of the 2010 EHRP scheduled for release in November. Participants highlighted projected 2010 humanitarian conditions characterized by continued effects of flooding resulting from anticipated enhanced 2009 October to December short rains; the likelihood of continued drought conditions despite heavy 2009 short rains; increased conflict and displacement resulting from competition for limited resources, as well as potential flashpoints associated with Mau forest evictions and the constitutional referendum process; a continued influx of Somali refuges; and increased urban vulnerability. End summary. -------------------------- BACKGROUND -------------------------- 2. The EHRP is an annual inter-agency strategy developed by U.N. agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in consultation with Government of Kenya (GOK) and donor partners that outlines and prioritizes humanitarian response activities as part of consolidated appeal. 3. In November 2008, the U.N. released the initial 2009 Kenya EHRP for USD 392 million, targeting remaining post-election violence needs, emerging drought conditions, and refugee assistance. In March 2009, the U.N. released a revised 2009 EHRP requesting an additional USD 189, for a total of USD 581 million, in response to increased humanitarian needs associated with severe drought conditions and increased food insecurity. 4. The U.S. Government (USG) represents the single, largest donor, providing an estimated USD 87 million in humanitarian assistance to Kenya in 2009 and accounting for more than 30 percent of total contributions, according to OCHA. Japan is the second largest donor, with USD 24 million in assistance, representing approximately 8 percent of total humanitarian contributions, followed by the U.K. with USD 11 million in assistance. -------------------------- CURRENT CONTEXT -------------------------- 5. Consecutive seasons of failed rains have resulted in acute water shortages in pastoralist regions of North Eastern and Eastern provinces; an estimated 28 percent reduction in the main 2009 long rain harvest; and an increase in malnutrition rates and food beneficiaries from 1.3 million to 3.8 million since August 2008. Insecurity in some areas of Kenya continues to reduce access and impede response efforts, including Mandera, Laikipia, and West Pokot districts. In addition, the crisis in Somalia continues to fuel refugee flows into Kenya. -------------------------- Looking Ahead in 2010 -------------------------- --- Climate Conditions --- 6. The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) reported that El Nino conditions are expected to result in enhanced rains throughout Kenya during the October to December short rains season and extension of the short rain season into January 2010. El Nino conditions are expected to result in normal to above-normal rainfall in the region, positively impacting agriculture and food security but also potentially resulting in flooding, reduced access, and increased incidences of human and livestock water-related diseases. However, the KMD highlighted the likelihood of continued drought conditions in 2010 despite heavy 2009 short rains. --- Urban Vulnerabilities --- 7. Urbanization represents an increasing trend in Kenya and worldwide, with urban residents projected to account for half of the Kenyan population by 2020. According to Oxfam, approximately one-third of all Kenyan urban populations subsist on less than USD 1 a day, confronting limited livelihood opportunities and significant vulnerabilities. An absence of surveillance, monitoring, and targeted response efforts characterize urban areas. OCHA highlighted the need for increased attention and planning to address the vulnerabilities of urban populations. 8. In recent months, rising food prices and reduced casual labor opportunities have resulted in widespread reductions in meal size and frequency among urban populations, according to Oxfam. The long rains assessment identified 2.5 million chronically food insecure individuals located in urban areas. Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene services and infrastructure combined with a high population density in urban areas result in increased risk of disease outbreaks, such as cholera. High numbers of unemployed youth contribute to general insecurity in urban areas and potential escalations in tensions and conflict. --- Cross-border Issues --- 9. Cross-border tensions and insecurity are expected to continue to affect humanitarian conditions and staff security in Kenya. Drought conditions have resulted in increased pastoralist and livestock migration from Kenya to Ethiopia and Somalia, increasing tensions associated with competition for scarce resources and the potential for the spread of human and livestock diseases, such as cholera, polio, peste des petits ruminants (PPR), and Rift Valley Fever in the coming months. 10. According to Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the current refugee population in Kenya is estimated at 486,000 individuals?a significant increase from the 2008 refugee population total of 355,000 individuals. UNHCR projects that by December 2009, the total refugee population in Kenya will exceed 500,000 individuals. According to UNHCR, approximately 283,000 refugees are currently located in the Dadaab refugee complex in North Eastern Province, in a facility originally intended to accommodate a population of 90,000 individuals. UNHCR anticipates a continued influx of Somali refugees in 2010 that will exacerbate current levels of severe overcrowding and inadequate service provision. --- Peace and Reconciliation and Internal Displacement --- 11. The impact and recovery of post-election violence (PEV) remains ongoing in Kenya. In addition, UNHCR notes inadequate IDP definitions and tracking mechanisms in Kenya. According to UNHCR, there are approximately 300,000 IDPs from previous PEV crises between 1992 and 2007 currently in Kenya. 12. Drought conditions have exacerbated resource-based conflict in affected areas. Between June and August, the Horn of Africa Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) initiative Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) reported 158 security incidents and 144 deaths in the Karamoja cluster area of Kenya, including 38 cross-border raids. During the same time period, CEWARN reported 60 incidents and 62 deaths in the Somali cluster of Kenya. 13. UNHCR highlighted potential new threats in 2010, including conflict and displacement associated with the proposed Mau Forest evictions, pastoralist competition for limited resources, El Nino flooding, and the release of International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments. -------------------------- 2010 EHRP Sector and Strategic Priorities -------------------------- 14. Participants in the 2010 EHRP workshop identified 11 sectors for inclusion in the 2010 EHRP, including coordination, early recovery, education, food aid, food security and agriculture, health, multi-sector refugee assistance, nutrition, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFIs), and water, sanitation, and hygiene. Participants identified four strategic objectives for the 2010 EHRP; achieve national and international standards in humanitarian service provision; increase coordination and linkage mechanisms among relevant stakeholders; improve information coordination and management; integrate disaster risk reduction and early recovery approaches into humanitarian response efforts. The finalized 2010 EHRP is scheduled for release in November 2009. -------------------------- COMMENT -------------------------- 15. USAID/OFDA staff note that the 2009 EHRP totaling more than a half billion USD reflects a blurring of the distinction between humanitarian and development assistance. Although USAID/OFDA welcomes the release of the 2010 EHRP, projected to exceed the 2009 EHRP appeal, USAID/OFDA notes that EHRP has evolved into an expansive list of projects and activities intended to rapidly address long-term, chronic development and infrastructure deficits that are beyond the scope of humanitarian assistance. USAID/OFDA will continue to monitor current and evolving humanitarian conditions and collaborate with development partners and the Government of Kenya to address immediate needs. RANNEBERGER |