Situation in Kenya

UNHCR yesterday (Thursday) flew in tonnes of humanitarian supplies from our stockpiles in Dubai to Nairobi for distribution to Kenyans displaced in the recent unrest. A Boeing 747-400 brought in 19,600 bales of plastic sheeting to be used for shelter; 40,000 mosquito nets and 15 generators.

Some of these supplies will be used to replenish stocks in Dadaab refugee camp in the north-east of Kenya. At the beginning of our operation to assist the recently displaced people, we borrowed some supplies from Dadaab for distribution in different areas of Nairobi and to uprooted people in the Rift Valley.

Two trucks loaded with 400 family kits had been expected to depart Nairobi for distribution to displaced people in Eldoret yesterday (Thursday). Trucks loaded with 10,000 sanitary pads and 600 family kits were also supposed to depart the capital for Nakuru. But both operations were cancelled as a result of the demonstrations in Nairobi since Wednesday.

To date, we have distributed a total of 1,400 household/family kits in Nairobi and the Rift Valley. UNHCR works with the Kenyan Red Cross Society and World Concern International for distribution of emergency shelter and non-food items.

In neighbouring Uganda, the Office of the Prime Minister reports that 6,590 people have crossed the border from Kenya. They are scattered mainly in Malaba, Busia and Lwakhakha. No significant arrivals have been registered in the past few days. The majority of the refugees are being hosted by local communities, while a few thousand are staying in schools in Malaba and in Busia. A transit centre in Mulanda, 35 km from the border, is currently being prepared. Any new arrivals will be transferred there from the border by UNHCR as soon as adequate water and sanitation facilities are established.