Flood victims hosted by Shofco receive donations as they leave centre

Over 100 flood victims, who were hosted by Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) in Kibera for two weeks, had a reason to smile on Sunday after the organization gave them essential items to begin their lives.

The families were given bedding, clothes, foodstuffs and money for rent after the houses they were living in were swept away by raging floods.

“We worked with communities to identify those who lost everything to floods. We have hosted them for two weeks and we are glad that they are now going back happier and healthier than they came,” SHOFCO Chief Programmes Officer Gladys Mwende said.

Mwende said the victims were supported fully during their stay at SHOFCO.

“Children have been able to go to school from here and parents with jobs have also been going to work. SHOFCO also treated those who had illnesses and offered psychosocial support to all the victims,” she stated.

Mwende further revealed that the organization supported over 20,000 flood victims in 17 counties across Kenya.

“We have reached 17 counties that were most affected by the floods. We supported the victims with bedding, foodstuffs, water, psychosocial counselling, and medication.

“We want to thank well-wishers, donors and communities who supported us because this is something that cannot be done by one organization alone. We also worked very well with the national and county governments,” Mwende added.

Nairobi County Shofco Urban Network (SUN) Chairperson Elizabeth Okumu said most of the flood victims were spending their nights outside along the river bank, further risking their lives during the rainy season.

“We used SUN committees to rescue the victims. Most of them were not feeling well and they were taken to SHOFCO health centres for treatment. I’m happy to see them doing well today and they are ready to go back to their respective homes after receiving household items and rent money,” Okumu said.

Rose Achieng, one of the flood victims who was hosted at SHOFCO Kibera School for Girls, thanked the organization for helping her and her family during the difficult time.

“We have had a great stay here at the centre. We were given food, clothes and medication. Today, as we prepare to leave, we have received foodstuffs, bedding, clothes, shoes, and money for rent.

“I want to thank SHOFCO CEO Dr. Kennedy Odede for helping us and may God bless him so that he can help many others,” Achieng said.

On May 7, Odede offered the organisation's centres across the country to be used as holding centres for flood victims.

“I want to urge people to move away from river banks. As Shofco, we have centres across the country and they can use them for now. We stand with the flood victims during this difficult time,” Dr. Odede said.

Through its SUN programme which has over four million members across Kenya, SHOFCO was getting real-time data from all the corners of the country affected by flash floods.