The Kenya branch of the International Organization for Migration (IOM Kenya) has said that it is fully prepared to respond to emergency humanitarian needs ahead of the 4 March general election in the East African nation.
An IOM press statement, obtained by PANA here Friday pointed out that as the lead humanitarian agency for shelter and non-food relief items (NFI), the IOM is working closely with the Kenyan government to develop a sectoral strategy and contingency plans in readiness for the elections.
It said that the organization had stockpiled non-food relief items like blankets, plastic sheets, jerry cans, cooking utensils and soap.
“IOM has also identified the response capacity of organizations working in all seven potentially 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.” the statement indicated.
In addition, it has conducted induction training in camp coordination and camp management for the Kenya Red Cross staff and volunteers to build emergency response capacity.
In addition, the IOM said, it has readied 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.
It noted that 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 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 after the 2007 elections.
IOM has appealed for US$ 35.4 million for its work in Kenya this year, the release concluded.
Pana 02/03/2013