Floods: Dire situation for Garissa IDPs as water scarcity hits

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Garissa continue to grapple with a myriad of challenges, including the lack of water and other essential amenities.

A visit to some of the camps revealed a dire situation that requires urgent attention and intervention.

According to the Ministry of Interior, Garissa has the largest number of IDPs, totaling 21,597 across 11 camps.

Many of the institutions housing the IDPs have been partially submerged.

In the neighboring Mororo village, nearly 1,200 families whose homes were flooded have been forced to evacuate.

They are currently being hosted at the Garissa Police Training College and other IDP camps in Garissa.

The Kenya Red Cross officials have been busy registering other internally displaced persons.

Najuma Ahmed, a resident of Mororo who has taken refuge at Hyuga Girls Primary regretted the turn of events saying that to them, it has become normal to be displaced whenever there are floods.

Najuma a mother of seven remained optimistic that the government will keep its word and find a long-term measure to mitigate the flood phenomenon.

“The other day I was listening to the radio and I heard the government leadership led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua giving an assurance that the government will find a permanent solution to the dams spilling waters which find their way to our home. I hope they keep their word,” she said.

Mohamed Babisani displaced from Bakuyu in Sala ward while thanking the government for distributing food and non-food items to the IDPs, said that there is a need to find a permanent solution to the floods menace.

“I am personally not used to this life of staying in the camps. This life of depending on someone is something I don’t like,” he said.

The affected individuals are sheltering in 11 IDP camps located within government institutions in Garissa town.

Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo speaking to the press gave instructions for the immediate relocation of riverine communities.

He said that the government will not only make sure that no life is lost through the floods but will ensure that both food and non-food items reach them.

Mohamed Ali, the Sala Ward MCA noted that the displaced families, estimated to be around 1,200, were overcrowded in the camps within Garissa town calling for more assistance.

“I want to appeal for more support, including cash transfers, sanitation facilities, food and above all shelter. Let the people feel that they have a government that really cares for them in their hour of need,” he said