Mombasa appeals for humanitarian aid for flood victims

Mombasa, Monday, April 24, 2023,

K.N.A By Sadik Hassan

The Mombasa Disaster Management Committee is appealing for support from well-wishers to alleviate the suffering faced by over 1,671 persons affected by flooding in the County as Rotavirus disease outbreak has claimed 10 lives so far.

The Kenya Red Cross Society Mombasa branch Chairman Mahmoud Noor said the 10 who have since succumbed to Rotavirus include 7 male and 3 female.

“Out of the ten reported three are from Kisauni Sub-County, two are from Nyali Sub-County and one from Likoni Sub-County. Four deaths are unaccounted for due to incomplete data,’’ said Noor.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir issued a cautionary alert to the public about the diarrheal disease on 12th April.

The Disaster Management Committee addressed the press Monday and told the residents to brace for more rains on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday morning following information from the weatherman.

Those living in the flood-prone areas were advised to move to higher grounds to avert loss of lives.

Three health facilities in Nyali and Jomvu Sub-Counties have been flooded.

“There is an urgent need for water treatment, such as aqua tabs and chlorine tablets to address water contamination and the outbreak of diarrhoea diseases.

With the current outbreak of Rotavirus infections in Mombasa, the situation might escalate if immediate WASH interventions are not put in place,’’ said Kenneth Ambani CECM for Public Administration at the Red Cross offices.

The most affected areas by the flash floods and disease outbreak are Miritini, Jomvu, Mikindani, Kazonzo, Bakarani, Magogoni, Tudor, Buxton, Ziwani, Majengo, Msikiti Ridhwa, Dolphin, Mlolongo, Migadini, Mwembeni, Shonda and Timbwani.

“Some houses have been blown away by the heavy wind and rainfall. Currently, 22 houses in Miritini Madukani, Mburukenge, Kipevu, and Chaani area were completely damaged and 35 were partially damaged within the reported areas,” said Kenneth Ambani, CECM for Public Administration.

Kipevu Primary School is hosting 65 households affected by the incessant rains that pounded the Coastal city over the weekend. Ambani said about 1,626 people had been affected directly and 25,000 indirectly.

The heavy rainfall, CECM Ambani said has also affected livelihood programmes, with traders, hawkers, and the transport sector mainly affected.  

Drop-off locations for donations are the Kenya Red Cross Mombasa offices, fire stations in Likoni and Changamwe and the Emergency and Operation Centre in Tudor.  The Red Cross officers will be collecting the donations.

The donation can also be channeled to the Kenya Red Cross Society Mombasa branch pay bill number 4081515 account name Flood Response.

 Courtesy K.N.A