Rotary District 9212, Partners Come to Aid of Flooding Victims In Kenya
By Eric Ombok
Rotary District 9212 — which cover Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea—has partnered with several organizations including the Kenya Red Cross Society and St. Johns Ambulance to provide material support to several communities displaced and affected by flooding across Kenya.
Various Rotary Clubs in the country also mobilized donations and volunteers to come to the aid of more than 20,000 people affected by floods in Kenya. Rotarians in Kenya and their partners have distributed medical supplies, blankets, tents, cooking oil food and clothes, other essential items and provided psychosocial support.
The Rotary Action Group for Disaster Network has also come on board and provides items that will be distributed by Rotary clubs, The Action group has also started fundraising and will meet the District leadership on May 6, 2024.
The Rotary Club of Nairobi Utumishi visited Sinai in Lunga lunga in the Kenya capital to provide food hampers and clothing to 50 families affected by the floods. Elsewhere, the Rotary Clubs of Nairobi, Rotary Club of Ridgeways and the District 9212 Family Health Medical team donated drugs to the Mathare Medical camp.
The Rotary Club of Karen, in partnership with Maersk, are continuing with flood relief efforts in villages in and around Karen area focusing on vulnerable mothers and children under five years old. The collaboration bought Mosquito nets from King’s Collection and Water tablets from Davis & Shirtliff at wholesale prices. The seeking good deals for diapers and sanitary towels.
Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Nairobi East, in partnerships with St John Ambulance, distributed food, blankets, mattresses, clothing and other non-food items to flood victims housed at the Mathare Youth Polytechnic in Nairobi
In the nearby Mathare 4A area, the Rotary Club of Karura was at Aide de Marie School, which is providing temporary accommodation to an estimate 450 people displaced by the floods. Members of the club provided psychosocial assistance and distributed blankets. The team also managed to give pre-hospital care and first aid to those who required medical attention
In Western Kenya, Rotary clubs their and partners in the region sprang into action to address the flooding crisis in Kisumu County. More than 5,200 individuals received essential relief food packages, thanks to this collaborative effort. The initiative was flagged off by the Governor of Kisumu County Anyang Nyong’o.
In the neighbouring Rift Valley Region, Rotary and Rotaract Club have started a fund to address the needs of residents in Mau Mahiu, one of the areas with the highest death toll caused by the flooding. The clubs have partnered with the Agricultural Finance Corporation, Tarachem Pharmaceuticals in Naivasha, Naivasha Sports Club, Grace Shop in Naivasha, Kaigai Traders in Kericho, Seed Savers Network and Training Centre in Gilgiland the Rifit Valley Sports Club in Nakuru. Other partners are located in the Eldama Ravine and Eldoret.
