India has sent $1 million in flood relief aid following devastating floods that have claimed over 267 lives, injured 188 people, and displaced over 280,000.
An Indian Air Force plane airlifted a relief consignment comprising 22 tonnes of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) material on Tuesday. The supplies, including tents, sleeping bags/mats, blankets, power generation sets, ready-to-eat meals, and essential sanitary and hygiene kits, aim to offer immediate relief to the Kenyan people.
Among the aid were 18 tonnes of medical supplies, including life-saving drugs and surgical equipment crucial for critical care and wound management. Additionally, the consignment included items for baby food, water purification, menstrual hygiene, and mosquito repellents, along with malaria and dengue diagnostic kits, anti-venom treatment kits, and various testing kits for rapid deployment on the ground.
🇮🇳 🤝 🇰🇪
— India in Kenya (@IndiainKenya) May 14, 2024
On behalf of Govt. of India, High Commissioner handed over 2nd tranche of 40MT of humanitarian assistance for flood-affected Kenyans to @SectoCabinet_KE Hon @WanjauMercy & CS @ASALs_KE Hon @peninah_malonza.#VasudhaivaKutumbakam@rigathi@MEAIndia@ForeignOfficeKE https://t.co/WMEjJkst63 pic.twitter.com/Z24SO4hOpu
Indian High Commissioner to Kenya, Namgya C. Khampa, handed over the aid to Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya, and Peninah Malonza, Cabinet Secretary.
This was the second tranche of relief materials sent to the flood-affected nation by India. Last week, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sumedha arrived in Mombasa to hand over food, relief, and medicine supplies to the flood victims. The relief material, containing one HADR and two medical pallets, was handed over to the Kenyan border security chief in coordination with the Indian Mission at Nairobi.
India as First Responder in IOR
INS Sumedha, initially deployed off Somalia for anti-piracy operations, was diverted to render assistance after Cyclone Hidaya was predicted to make landfall on the East African Coast on 4 May. In light of the problematic situation, India jumped into its role as the first responder in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India is “standing up for a historical partnership, a Vishwabandhu (Global Friend) to the world.”
“The assistance to Kenya is a reiteration of our strong and friendly relations with the country, in the spirit of South-South cooperation and our commitment to keep Africa on top of our priorities, as spelt out by PM Narendra Modi,” a government readout said. Additionally, India extended deep sympathies to the people and government of Kenya for the damage and destruction caused by the floods.
Devastating Kenyan Flood, Anger Against Government
The devastating floods in Kenya have affected 38 out of 47 counties in the country. The floods, affecting several parts of East Africa, were caused by torrential rains that started in March and got worse as Cyclone Hidaya hit the country. To make matters worse, a dam burst in the southern town of Mai Mahiu, killing 48 people.
President William Ruto declared a public Holiday last Friday to mourn the loss of lives in the floods. Owing to the disaster, the reopening of schools was also postponed by two weeks. People living close to rivers have been the hardest hit by the floods.
VLOG: "The classrooms are filled with water, textbooks, and even desks and other learning materials have been destroyed." Dorothy, from @SaveChildren_KE speaks about the damage caused by the floods in #Kenya. pic.twitter.com/0ecBlfurMt
— Save the Children Global Media (@Save_GlobalNews) May 14, 2024
In order to tackle the situation, the government ordered large-scale evacuations and demolition of buildings, including houses, built close to riverbanks. However, this action sparked widespread outrage among the affected populace, who accused the government of handling the situation in a disorderly and insensitive manner. Many disadvantaged Kenyans lamented that they were forcibly removed without being granted the legally required three-month notice period prior to such measures.
Despite the government's announcement of $75 in aid to assist with relocation, numerous individuals have voiced grievances over not receiving the promised sum. Furthermore, many have expressed concerns that even if received, the meagre amount would be insufficient to cover rental expenses, let alone compensate for the loss of property.