The government has activated a national response plan to prepare for the expected El Niño rains across Kenya.
The Ministry of Interior said it will increase response measures depending on the severity and spread of the effects.
Government agencies will work together to protect communities and respond to emergencies caused by heavy rains.
Government prepares for floods and emergencies
The government will strengthen cooperation among security agencies and prepare evacuation procedures across the country.
It will also map alternative routes to ensure people can access affected areas if roads become impassable.
Meanwhile, search and rescue teams will include the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS), Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and National Youth Service (NYS).
The government is also assessing schools to determine whether they are safe and functional.
This assessment will help authorities protect learning materials if schools need to serve as temporary shelters for displaced people.
Evacuation centres prepared
Authorities have identified and prepared evacuation and displacement centres in different parts of the country.
A standard registration system will also help officials identify and track displaced people.
The system will allow authorities to provide assistance to those affected by the rains.
In addition, the government will activate alternative transport routes if floods damage roads and other infrastructure.
The National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC) will also mobilize air support where necessary.
Government prepares for health risks
The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) and Incident Management System (IMS) will coordinate emergency health services.
At the same time, health officials will strengthen disease surveillance because flooding can increase the risk of communicable diseases.
The government has also secured supplies of therapeutic and supplementary nutrition products to ensure continued support for vulnerable people.
Furthermore, authorities will increase water-quality monitoring in areas affected by the rains.
They will also distribute water-treatment products to help prevent waterborne diseases.
Sanitation facilities in areas at risk of flooding will undergo assessment.
Authorities will take measures to reduce contamination and other public health risks.
Food supplies ready in 10 counties
The government has pre-positioned food supplies in 10 priority counties.
These counties are Tana River, Garissa, Kisumu, Busia, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kilifi, Wajir, Mandera and Turkana.
Meanwhile, farmers will receive agricultural advice based on conditions in their specific areas.
The advice will help farmers make decisions as weather conditions change.
Nairobi prepares for El Niño rains
The government will work with the National Disaster Operations Centre and county governments to coordinate the response.
In Nairobi, the county government has already carried out a disaster management simulation to test its preparedness.
The county plans to use a multi-agency approach during the crisis.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya Red Cross, Nairobi Fire Department and National Police Service will work together to protect residents.
The agencies will respond to emergencies and help keep roads and other critical infrastructure accessible during the expected heavy rains.
Leave a Reply