€5.5 mln humanitarian aid for victims of post-election violence in Kenya

The European Commission has launched an emergency decision to provide relief assistance to vulnerable groups affected by the crisis in Kenya. The funds will be focused on meeting the basic needs of people who have been displaced as a result of the post-election violence.

Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, expressed his concern over the plight of people driven from their homes in recent weeks. “More than a quarter of million people are displaced and a similar number already living a precarious existence in the shanty towns, have been badly affected. We urge all the parties to stop immediately the violence and to engage immediately and seriously in talks with a view to find a political solution. In the meantime, the EU stands by those suffering as a result of the post-electoral violence and we will provide them the necessary emergency assistance.”

The funds, channelled through the Commission’s humanitarian aid department (ECHO), will target key essentials for displaced people and refugees including tents, clean water, sanitation, emergency health care, basic household equipment, hygiene products, food and logistics.

The Commission has partnerships with a wide range of implementing agencies working in Kenya including UN agencies, the Red Cross movement and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that specialise in relief delivery. Staff based in the ECHO regional support office in Nairobi have been working closely with partners since the crisis began, assessing the most urgent needs and identifying how best funds can be deployed to maximise the impact of the humanitarian response.