Europe Kenya

BRUSSELS, 28 August 2024 / PRN Africa / -- In response to the ongoing social unrest in Baringo County, the EU's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) has issued additional funding, to help the Kenya Red Cross in delivering much-needed relief in the hardest hit areas of Baringo, and the neighbouring Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties.

In response to the ongoing social unrest in Kenya’s Baringo County, the European Union has allocated an additional €50,000 (Ksh 7.1 million) in humanitarian aid funding, complementing a previous allocation of €150,000 (Ksh 21.5 million) made earlier this year. The support aims to address the underlying drivers of conflict in the region, as well as delivering critical aid, including food, sanitation and shelter.

The conflict in Kenya's North Rift and South Rift regions, particularly in Baringo, has intensified since October 2023. The disputes among the pastoral communities over scarce resources due to drought, boundary issues, and cattle rustling, have led to significant displacement of people, loss of lives and destruction of livelihoods. The EU funding will bolster the efforts of the Kenya Red Cross in delivering much-needed relief in the hardest hit areas of Baringo, as well as in nearby Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties.

This six-month project, scheduled until the end of October 2024, is expected to benefit 22,500 people in the five counties. The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Kenya’s North Rift has been grappling with persistent conflict, characterized by intermittent insecurity. Escalating disputes over water, pasture, boundary alienation and cattle rustling in Kenya's Kerio Valley have caused significant displacement of people and loss of livelihoods. By April this year, over 172,000 people were affected, with 4,454 households displaced, 48 fatalities, and 36 injuries. The unrest has led to widespread fear, school interruption, closure of services, disruption of markets and trading centers, and affected key services and roads

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SOURCE European External Action