Kenya: Humanity First delivers aid to famine-stricken population

A total of 6,500 food parcels were dispatched to Dadaab Refugee Camp, located near the Kenya-Somalia border.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Humanity First - UK
Edited by Imran Jattala | August 11, 2011

Long before many western media outlets arrived on scene, the first Humanity First (HF) convoy had left Nairobi very early on Friday, 29th July for Dadaab Refugee Camp - located near the Kenya-Somalia border.

Finding sources of bulk food is a monumental task, says HF – UK an international humanitarian and disaster relief organization aiding the famine-stricken populations of East Africa.

According to the organizations website, 70 HF Kenya volunteers including 20 women and 50 men had located food items in bulk in Nairobi as sourcing in Garissa - a city in the North Eastern Province of Kenya – had proved difficult.


HF volunteers packaged the food item combinations into parcels consisting of a range of items including 5kg of maize flour, 5kg of wheat flour, 5kg of beans and combinations of cooking fat, salt, sugar and tea.

A total of 6,500 food parcels were dispatched to Dadaab Refugee Camp and a team of 16 HF staff arrived at the camp on Saturday 30th July and began the distribution process.

First vouchers were handed out to the neediest families in the new Ifo II camp, say distribution organizers, and then those people were directed to HF distribution station.

To guard against rioting and manage security and safety of the volunteers, the distribution station is located some 2km away in the Care International compound in the Ifo I camp.

20 additional staff members were recruited at the camp to additionally assist with security and distribution.

Chaiman of Humanity First Kenya, Mr. Shah, described the situation on the ground as "tense and volatile.”

“The need is tremendous and the distribution of aid was done to the most needy new arrivals,” said Mr. Shah. “But even then there was the potential for chaos.”

“At least the water situation is not dire. Several boreholes have been dug so water is available, though hygiene items are in demand. We will now plan the next convoy. "

So far, Humanity First has committed $50,000 towards the aid distribution, with fundraising in 11 countries and about 10% has been raised locally - in Kenya itself.

A further $200,000 worth of aid is ready to ship to Nairobi.

A more detailed report with images will be made available soon, HF said.

-- Ahmadiyya Times - by Imran Jattala

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