Gachagua says govt streamlining floods response for effective humanitarian support
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says the Government is streamlining response to the floods for efficient and effective distribution of humanitarian support across the country.
The Deputy President on Monday said a whole of society approach is being adopted to ensure better coordination as the calls for help intensify.
Speaking when he chaired a National Disaster Response Steering Committee and Development Partners meeting at the Official Residence in Karen, Mr Gachagua said the Government’s focus is to reach as many affected people as fast as possible.
“This whole of society approach, will allow us to respond rapidly and strategically to where the needs are greatest; allow the greatest level of flexibility to deliver timely and effective coordinated assistance to the most vulnerable families; and facilitate a more impactful outcome of chosen interventions,” he said.
The DP said various channels for contribution to the response efforts have been activated calling on the local and foreign partners to continue with their support.
The DP requested development partners with existing financial arrangements with the Government and wished to support the response to do so through the National Treasury and inform the National Disaster Operations Center Secretariat and the International Development Partnership Coordination Unit (IDPCU).
He also appealed to the private sector and individual well-wishers wishing to make cash donations to liaise with the National Drought Response Team led by Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa after its mandate was expanded to cover the floods.
“I appreciate the support from all our partners. Since I came into office, we have had three emergencies and the partners have heeded our appeal to assist our people. We are grateful. We are facing an unprecedented challenge with many people in desperate need of help and support,” he added.
The Deputy President also said the County Commissioners have been instructed to work closely with the Governors to make sure those in need receive the support as quickly as possible.
Mr Gachagua asked the governors to consider readjusting their budgets to make available more resources to boost the response kitty.
“With the available resources, you have the latitude to reallocate the resources to assist the people and save lives. These are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures. The lives of our people are important,” he urged.
The DP appreciated support by partners including 40 metric tonnes of food and 34 non-food items from the United Arab Emirates towards easing the pain of the affected.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson said the foreign partners have raised Sh900 million as of Monday to boost response and humanitarian activities across the country and are looking for more support.
“We are grateful to the partners for their generosity. We still need more and we will ask our partners to continue offering their support,” he said.
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said six aircraft were on standby to help in rescue and delivery of relief food to those in distress.
