Press Release
4 February 2008
Douglas Alexander announces further UK support for humanitarian relief
effort in Kenya
 The UK’s Department for International Development today announced that it
will provide a further £1.226 million from the UK’s aid programme to assist with
humanitarian relief efforts in Kenya. This is in addition to the
£1 million
given on 3 January following post-election violence in the country.
This money will go towards providing food, shelter, clean water and emergency
health care for up to 500,000 people displaced as a result of the unrest. It is
not for resettlement of those affected by the violence.
Of the new funding announced today, £1 million will be channelled to the Red
Cross (bringing the UK contribution to the Red Cross to £2 million). This is in
response to the
 Kenya Red Cross recently updating their appeal to CHF15.9
million (£7.4m) to address the needs of those displaced by the post-election
violence.
The UK will also give £226,000 to
Medecins Sans Frontieres Belgium. They work
predominantly in the slums of Nairobi, such as Kibera and Mathare, areas that
have been heavily affected by the violence. The UK’s contribution is in response
to their recent appeal of £384,000.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said:
“DFID has been closely monitoring the situation in Kenya and have had teams
on the ground assessing the conditions first-hand. That is why today I am
announcing further UK support of over £1.2 million to the continuing
humanitarian relief effort. The majority of which will be channelled to the Red
Cross who have done an excellent job in leading and co-ordinating the
Humanitarian Relief effort. ”
“It is not just the international aid agencies that have responded to the
humanitarian appeals – the Kenyan Public’s response has been overwhelming – with
significant donations of food and relief items as well as financial support.
This is an unprecedented response to help fellow Kenyans in their time of need.”
“These are difficult times in Kenya and we can not conduct business-as-usual.
The International Community have all agreed to keep our respective and joint
development assistance programmes under review. DFID will ensure any changes to
our programme continues to best meet the needs of the poorest Kenyans and
support the progress that Kenya has seen in recent years in the most appropriate
way. Our commitment to the Kenyan people is undiminished”
A team from DFID Kenya undertook an assessment of the humanitarian situation
in Western Kenya last week, including the towns of Kisumu, Kakamega, Eldoret,
Burnt Forest and Nakuru.
Commenting on the trip, Simon Bland, Head of DFID Kenya said:
“The displaced people we met were in a desperate situation. Very fearful and
having lost all their possessions and their livelihoods in urgent need of
support. They all re-iterated that in order for them to return home they would
need to see a meaningful political settlement. Kenya’s political leaders must
not let them down.”
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Notes to editors
- The new funding of £1 million to the Kenya Red Cross will be channelled
through the British Red Cross, while £226,650 will be given directly to MSF
Belgium.
- The Kenya Red Cross has been identified by the Government as the lead
agency in the collection of donations locally and coordination of relief
assistance to the affected people during the post poll election violence.
- The UK is providing £50 million in aid to Kenya in 2007/08. This
includes help to tackle corruption, support the construction of nearly
12,000 new classrooms, and the provision of 11 million insecticide treated
bed nets.
- Since 2001/02, the Department for International Development has spent
over £170 million in Kenya, making the UK the second largest bilateral
donor.
- 80% of UK assistance goes towards health, education,
humanitarian assistance and social protection. The remaining 20%
support improved governance, private sector development and investment
climate, financial sector reform, land and agricultural reform and improved
statistics.
- The UK does not provide direct budget support to the Kenyan Government.
DFID’s funds to Kenya are managed separately by reliable Financial
Management Agents, through special, earmarked accounts, or provided directly
to non-governmental organisations. In this way, financial risks are
minimised while delivering key benefits to poor Kenyans.
- For information on the UK’s aid programme to Kenya, please see the
Kenya country page
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