Kenya: IOM sets up preparedness and response measures ahead of polls
IOM Kenya is putting in place humanitarian preparedness and response measures ahead of the upcoming March 4th 2013 general election.
As the lead humanitarian agency for shelter and non-food relief items (NFI), IOM is working closely with the government to develop a sectoral strategy and contingency plans in readiness for the elections. Stockpiled NFIs include blankets, plastic sheets, jerry cans, cooking utensils and soap.
IOM has also identified the response capacity of organizations working in all seven potential political hot spots across the country, including Eldoret and Nakuru in Rift Valley Province, Kisumu in Nyanza Province, Mombasa in Coast Province, Garissa and Lodwar in North Eastern Province and Nairobi.
In addition, it has conducted induction training in camp coordination and camp management for Kenya Red Cross staff and volunteers to build emergency response capacity.
It has pre-positioned 248 NFI kits in Eldoret in the west of the country and is working with partners to cover gaps in response capacity and ensure an immediate response to emerging needs.
The Eldoret hub covers four counties that were most affected in the 2007/8 post-election violence: Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Trans Nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet.
Other NFI kits have been pre-positioned in all the other six potential hot spot areas across the country.
Since;1992 Kenya has seen pre- and post-election violence that has displaced thousands of people and left scores dead. The worst violence occurred following the 2007 elections.
IOM has appealed for US$ 35.4 million for its work in Kenya this year.
For more information please go here or please contact Heather Komenda at IOM Nairobi, Tel: 0733122529, Email: hkomenda@iom.int