- The victims are now appealing for food aid and other humanitarian assistance to sustain themselves during the crisis caused by the raging floods.
- The county began the distribution on Saturday beginning with the worst-hit areas in Bubisa, Walda and Dabala Fanchana.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
Thousands of flood victims in Marsabit county have received emergency relief food from the county government.
Most of the flood victims have been forced to accommodate friends and relatives after their houses were submerged.
The victims are now appealing for food aid and other humanitarian assistance to sustain themselves during the crisis caused by the raging floods.
The county began the distribution on Saturday beginning with the worst-hit areas in Bubisa, Walda and Dabala Fanchana.
The food comprises rice, beans and cooking oil.
Speaking in Bubisa during the distribution, Governor Mohamud Ali said many households and livestock have been affected by the flood disaster.
The worst hit area was Balesa in the North-Horr sub-county and Dambala Fanchana in the Sololo sub-county which was submerged.
The Governor called on residents living in areas affected by the floods to move to other safer places to avoid any disaster.
He said the county had taken measures for disaster management and they were working to improve in terms of preparedness to ensure the safety of all residents.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
"The ongoing rains have really affected our people and it's our responsibility to give the affected families relief as we ponder the next move," he said
The governor noted that no fatalities or injuries have been reported in the flood incidents but residents have lost their property.
He said his administration is committed to ensuring that the residents do not languish because of the lack of food following the calamity that has hit the region.
Ali said the county government is working in collaboration with the national government and non-state actors to ensure the flood victims will get assistance.
The Governor asked residents in the county to remain peaceful and accommodate different views saying it is the beauty of democracy that people are allowed to have different opinions.
He called on elders not to relent in promoting unity and working towards the betterment of the region.
"Promote unity and peace among our diverse communities," he said.
The governor maintained that his administration is working closely with the national government and well-wishers to better the lives of the residents.
He appealed to county assembly members to work closely with his administration in order to assist the flood victims as well as those who lost their livestock to drought.
Accompanying the governor, North-Horr MP Wario Guyo who has been at the forefront of highlighting the plight of flood victims thanked the county government for responding to the disaster.
He said the relief they received including beans, cooking oil and rice was enough to sustain the locals for this period.
"We are happy the county government has come to give support to flood victims, this food will go a long way in supporting the livelihoods of the locals who were cut off," Wario said
He called on the national government to support the county's efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to flood victims.
"The county alone does not have the capacity to handle what we are experiencing. The national government should intervene to avert the suffering of our people," he said
Wario appealed to the government to ensure victims have enough food and medicine supplies, noting that they have been forced to live under harsh conditions which have predisposed them to diseases.
"There is a likelihood of an outbreak of waterborne diseases. Sources of clean water have been contaminated," he said
Wario said there is a need to focus on generating crops through irrigation and encourage our people to tap flood waters and employ modern farming methods.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
He challenged farmers to embrace technology and modern farming methods to boost productivity as well as make the county food secure.
The North-Horr mp said the solution to challenges facing agriculture lay in the adoption of modern farming methods.
Torbi-Bubisa ward MCA Huka Galgallo whose ward is among the worst hit said it was time the leadership of the county come together to find a lasting solution to the flood menace in the region.
"Many displaced people are in urgent need of food and non-food items like mosquito nets and chlorine for water treatments. Farmers need long-term assistance with seeds to plant their fields. Many people have lost their livestock and need further assistance to replace their assets," he said
The Torbi-Bubisa ward MCA said that it is only when those in authority and other stakeholders work together that difficult situations can be defeated.
"On behalf of my people, I want to express my profound gratitude to the governor for his efforts to make life a little bit more comfortable for the victims," he said.
He demanded an apology from the Isiolo governor over his recent remarks on Marsabit leaders where he accused them of interference.
Former chief Mamo Wako appealed to the government to avail additional relief food so that those who got less food can be given more as per their needs.