Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
11 January 2008
The Catholic Church around the country is struggling to provide help to thousands of people displaced by post-election violence.
About 250, 000 are living in dismal conditions on open grounds in church compounds, police stations and stadiums in the worst affected areas of Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley, Coast and Nairobi provinces.
Bishop Maurice Crowley of Kitale in the west told CISA that with the help of the Irish charity, Trocaire, the diocese is supplying food and blankets to the displaced people sheltered in different camps.
"We are supplying milk, children's food and clothes to Trans Nzoia West and East districts where there are 13 stations sheltering displaced persons," Bishop Crowley said.
He added that a lot of people wanted to leave the camps, but were afraid of possible attack. Approximately 41,000 displaced people are staying in schools, churches and with relatives.
"I have appealed to the government not to open schools at least until January 16 in order for the transport situation to get back to normal but there is no response yet," he said. The government announced schools will open Monday for the new term.
The Catholic diocese of Nakuru has appealed for Kshs 18 million (Us $ 280, 000, Euro: 200, 000) to provide food and other basic needs for the thousands camped in 11 parishes and the town.
The diocesan CJPC coordinator Mr. Ernest Murimi said that most of those being evacuated from other parts of the country were being dumped in Nakuru and it was up to the diocese to take care of them.
From the lakeside town of Kisumu that was terribly damaged, Fr Frederick Ogambi said: "The Archdiocese of Kisumu has made rapid access of Bondo, Nyando, Siaya and Kisumu deaneries. We are giving food and medicine to the displaced persons staying at Milimani, Koru and the Dominican Friars' residence.
Fr Ogambi further said the archdiocese had helped families of some 71 dead victims of the violence to transport bodies to their homes.
"So far we have not received any international or local help. The number of displaced people is overwhelming and we are faced with the challenge of providing food and medicine to every individual."
Fr Ogambi said that the destruction in Kisumu, stronghold of opposition leader Raila Odinga, was immense. Some 5,000 people could loose jobs due to looting and destruction of business premises in the town.
James Kimisoi, programme coordinator of Justice and Peace Commission in Eldoret told CISA, "the first two days things were horrible at the Eldoret Cathedral because we did not get any assistance and we were unable to provide basic needs to the victims of violence."
However, the situation improved after Red Cross came in assistance of food provided by the government and free medical services. Other agencies like CRS, UNICEF, Oxfam are also providing care, though the situation is very tense and security is not guaranteed.
Approximately 50,000 displaced people are taking refuge at Eldoret showground, the Scared Heart Cathedral and at some parishes.
In Kericho, Fr. Evans Mogaka of Kipchimchim Parish said seven parishes were closed and people evacuated to the town. "We are mobilizing Christians to bring what they have to help these people," he added. Transport and food are still a big challenge.
Meanwhile, in Nairobi, Humphrey Sipalla of the Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) said the organization had dispatched personnel to affected areas to see what and how they can support parishes sheltering displaced people.
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