British high commission staff initiatives to help displaced people in Kenya
British high commission staff initiatives to help displaced people in Kenya
Staff from the British High Commission (BHC) led by the Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Louise De Sousa, visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the 'Word of Good Hope' Church in Limuru on Friday 7 March 2008.
The visit was part of a range of initiatives that volunteers at the High Commission are organising for staff to raise funds to assist Kenyans displaced by the post-election violence. Kiambu District Commissioner, Mr Lelei, welcomed the High Commission team on arrival to the camp where around 500 displaced people, mainly women and children from Rift Valley, are living. During the visit, the team donated clothes, blankets, food, exercise books and footballs, and played with the children at the camp.
Mrs De Sousa held an interactive session, where the IDPs expressed hope of returning to their homes. Speaking at the meeting, she said:
"The British High Commission community - staff and families - have been deeply affected by the events following the 27 December elections. Some staff were caught in violence themselves, others have family and friends who have suffered terribly. Virtually all of us know someone who was touched by the unrest. We just wanted to do our bit to help and show solidarity as individuals with all the communities of Kenya who have suffered loss of homes, property and lives. We very much welcome the 28 February agreement, which has given all Kenyans hope for the future".
The High Commission team later visited Kirathimo Camp, also in Limuru where they met recently arrived IDPs. Briefing the team, the District Officer Kiambu West, Mr Kangethe explained that the camp was still receiving IDPs from various parts of the country that had been affected by the violence.
In other activities to raise funds for the IDPs, eight [to check] members of staff recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. They raised KSH 100,000 for displaced children at New Life Homes. Twenty-one members of staff at the High Commission have also donated blood to assist those who have been injured in the crisis.
The High Commission volunteers are organising other fund-raising events and visits to other camps to show their solidarity with IDPs.
These activities to help displaced people have been organised on the personal initiative of High Commission staff. The British Government is also continuing to support efforts in Kenya to help overcome the recent post-election crisis. The Department for International Development - Kenya (DFIDK) has already provided £2 million from the UK's development programme to the Red Cross and £22,000 to Medicins San Frontieres to help relieve the most urgent humanitarian needs of those affected by the post-election violence across Kenya. This money will be used to buy and deliver food, and provide shelter, clean water and emergency health care for up to 500,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the unrest
Staff from the British High Commission (BHC) led by the Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs Louise De Sousa, visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the 'Word of Good Hope' Church in Limuru on Friday 7 March 2008.
The visit was part of a range of initiatives that volunteers at the High Commission are organising for staff to raise funds to assist Kenyans displaced by the post-election violence. Kiambu District Commissioner, Mr Lelei, welcomed the High Commission team on arrival to the camp where around 500 displaced people, mainly women and children from Rift Valley, are living. During the visit, the team donated clothes, blankets, food, exercise books and footballs, and played with the children at the camp.
Mrs De Sousa held an interactive session, where the IDPs expressed hope of returning to their homes. Speaking at the meeting, she said:
"The British High Commission community - staff and families - have been deeply affected by the events following the 27 December elections. Some staff were caught in violence themselves, others have family and friends who have suffered terribly. Virtually all of us know someone who was touched by the unrest. We just wanted to do our bit to help and show solidarity as individuals with all the communities of Kenya who have suffered loss of homes, property and lives. We very much welcome the 28 February agreement, which has given all Kenyans hope for the future".
The High Commission team later visited Kirathimo Camp, also in Limuru where they met recently arrived IDPs. Briefing the team, the District Officer Kiambu West, Mr Kangethe explained that the camp was still receiving IDPs from various parts of the country that had been affected by the violence.
In other activities to raise funds for the IDPs, eight [to check] members of staff recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. They raised KSH 100,000 for displaced children at New Life Homes. Twenty-one members of staff at the High Commission have also donated blood to assist those who have been injured in the crisis.
The High Commission volunteers are organising other fund-raising events and visits to other camps to show their solidarity with IDPs.
These activities to help displaced people have been organised on the personal initiative of High Commission staff. The British Government is also continuing to support efforts in Kenya to help overcome the recent post-election crisis. The Department for International Development - Kenya (DFIDK) has already provided £2 million from the UK's development programme to the Red Cross and £22,000 to Medicins San Frontieres to help relieve the most urgent humanitarian needs of those affected by the post-election violence across Kenya. This money will be used to buy and deliver food, and provide shelter, clean water and emergency health care for up to 500,000 people in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the unrest
