Flooding Sweeps Kenya, Displacing Thousands

Abnormally heavy rains across East Africa and the run-off from storms in the Ethiopian highlands that caused flash flooding in neighboring Somalia as well, has now left thousands homeless and without their farms in western Kenya after the River Nzoia broke its bank on Saturday. These are secondary displacements for some who were made homeless earlier by conflict and climate shocks. According to the UN’s Emergency Aid Coordination Office (OCHA), the rising river levels are already at unprecedented levels usually seen at the end of May. Rains across west, central and southeast Kenya have lasted over a week, triggering river overflows, mudslides and floods. Already, 116 people have died across 29 of Kenya’s 47 counties. Damaged roads and bridges have made access to shelter and health facilities a huge challenge, now made worse by fears of coronavirus spread due to overcrowding. The Kenya Red Cross has asked for additional shelters and suggested an integrated approach to COVID-19 prevention and flood response. (The New Humanitarian)