•As part of proactive preparedness measures, WHO had previously strategically positioned critical medical resources in 14 high-risk counties
•This essential stockpile includes emergency medical kits, cholera kits, durable tents and beds and vital nutrition supplies such as ready-to-use therapeutic foods for kids
Image: STEPHEN ASTARIKO
The Ministry of Health has deployed specialised health emergency and technical personnel to support in El Nino emergency response.
The key areas of focus are high-risk areas which are already bearing the brunt of the rains with flooding cutting off key services including access the healthcare.
This, according to PS Public Health at the Ministry Mary Muthoni, seeks to ensure the availability of necessary expertise and resources to respond effectively to the challenges posed by El Nino.
Muthoni has warned that the floods have increased community vulnerability and affected access to basic health services in many parts of the country.
This has sparked fear of serious outbreaks of waterborne and vector-borne diseases such as cholera and malaria.
Speaking during a meeting with donors and partners on El Nino support on Wednesday, Muthoni said the ongoing heavy rains have led to the displacement of at least 1,875 households, leaving at least four dead and one person missing.
But data from the Red Cross shows that as of November 7, at least 85,000 households had been displaced as the rains continued to wreak havoc in several parts of the country.
The head of Policy and Advocacy at the Kenya Red Cross Ahmed Idris on Wednesday called for urgent emergency action to address the ongoing flood situation in the country.
In particular, Ahmed pointed out that public health was a key area where urgent intervention was required to avoid disease outbreaks in affected areas.
The heavy rains witnessed in March, April, and May (MAM) 2023, are said to have left at least 14,104 households displaced, more than 75 dead and five missing.
“We are diligently managing critical information, including health risk assessments and climate outlooks while providing regular reports on El Nino-related health risks,” Muthoni said.
The ministry has been working collaboratively with counties to enhance their preparedness and response strategies.
The PS has noted that under the guidance of the Health Sector El Ninoo Taskforce, the ministry has achieved significant progress in strengthening its preparedness and response capabilities.
For instance, the ministry has crafted a contingency plan firmly rooted in the National El Nino plan, with a focus on addressing key priorities related to a reasonable worst-case scenario and common consequence planning.
“This scenario has been informed by early warning reports, which have indicated the expectation of widespread and extended periods of above-normal rainfall,” she said.
Muthoni, however, noted that the disaster response will only be a success through collaboration with all the key stakeholders who should come together with a common goal.
The ministry in collaboration with World Health Organization, local authorities, and various partners is actively conducting rapid needs assessments and delivering essential assistance to the affected communities.
As part of proactive preparedness measures, WHO had previously strategically positioned critical medical resources in 14 high-risk counties.
This essential stockpile includes emergency medical kits, Cholera kits, durable tents and beds and vital nutrition supplies such as ready-to-use therapeutic foods and nourishing milk for children.