World Relief Kenya in Elections Crisis

WR Kenya in the Elections Crisis

Reach
In the midst of the chaos precipitated by results of the Kenya 2007 National Elections, World Relief was involved in the daunting task of assisting victims of the violence. World Relief was required to move promptly but strategically to enable help to reach as many of the affected persons as possible. More than 300,000 people were displaced and over 1,000 people lost their lives in the violence.

Respond
Within the four or five days of the beginning of the crisis, the National Alliance of Churches (NAC) was formed for a better and more coordinated response. Jean Paul was appointed 2nd chair of the NAC after two weeks.

Invest
World Relief embarked on the food distribution process, which catered to all who were in IDP camps and those in slum areas but “locked” in certain geographical zones of the slums because of prevailing ethnic hostilities. World Relief was assigned Dandora and Kibera slums while other partners catered to the Korogosho and Mathare slums.

A total of 2,897 tons of food were distributed to 97,191 families of an average of 6 persons each. The orphans and vulnerable children, the elderly and those living with HIV/AIDs were given first priority.

• The World Relief family regionally and internationally, in solidarity with the Kenya office, assisted in various ways. The World Relief Rwanda team, led by Country Director Phil Smith, came to assist with the emergency food distribution.
• In addition, Mark Smith, the WR International Disaster Response Director, arrived and trained 18 persons from different Nairobi churches on Disaster Response.
• Recently, WR trained 12 more pastors from the Nairobi Pentecostal Church. Karura Chapel's members have likewise received training which they have used as host to more than 200 IDP’s.

Peace Building
World Relief is working on Peace Building and Reconciliation initiatives together with other Christian agencies. Much money and effort have been invested in bringing together senior pastors and bishops for healing first nationally, and progressively more into the provinces.

• Meetings have been held in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. More will be held in Kakamega (Western Province), Eldoret and Nakuru in Rift Valley Province.
• To date 250 pastors have been reached in Mombasa, Kisumu, kakamega and Nairobi.
• World Relief is also working on a curriculum (together with other Christian agencies) for Healing and Reconciliation.