Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Fides Service)- The United Nations High Commission for Refugees and partner agencies are working to repair heavy damage caused by torrential rains and devastating floods which hit refugee camps in Dadaab in north east Kenya at the end of April.
UNHCR said a four year old by was killed and three of his brothers were injured when the roof of a makeshift dwelling collapsed. The shelters of some 25,000 refugees were damaged. Most of the shelters at Ifo, one of the three camps at Dadaab, collapsed or were seriously damaged by the rain on 28 April. In East Kenya, in the Isolo district, at least 300 families, about 1,500 people, had to abandon their homes and 300 animals died in the floods.
The United Nations World Food Programme has started distributing food in the area giving priority to 25,000 homeless people who lost their homes in the floods last week.
UNHCR and its partner agencies is distributing also non-food aid including blankets, cooking utensils, plastic sheeting and soap. Despite the floods and related fears of contamination of water reserves, medical operators on the field have registered only a slight increase in cases of dysentery. Rebuilding of latrines has started, water supplies are sufficient and wells are working. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 7/5/2005 righe 27 parole 285)
