Marsabit flood victims receive emergency relief food

Thousands of flood victims in Marsabit county have received emergency relief food from the county government.

Most of the flood victims, who have been forced to put up with friends and relatives after their houses were submerged, appealed for food aid and other humanitarian assistance to sustain themselves during the crisis caused by the raging floods.

The county started the distribution on Saturday in the the worst -hit areas of 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 flood disaster but the worst hit area were Balesa in North Horr subcounty and Dambala Fanchana in Sololo subcounty, which were 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 his administration was working to improve in terms of preparedness to ensure the safety of all residents.

"The ongoing rains have really affected our people and it's our responsibility to give the affected families a relief as we ponder the next move," Ali said. 

The governor said 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 suffer because of lack of food following the calamity that has hit the region.

Ali further 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, even as he reiterated that the devolved units will work closely with them to promote peace, unity and stability.

Ali urged residents to work together irrespective of their religions and ethnic differences.

Accompanying the governor, North Horr MP Wario Guyo, who has been in 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 residents for the period.

" We are happy the county government has come to give support to flood victims, this food will go along way in supporting the livelihoods of the locals who were cut off," Guyo said.

The lawmaker called on the national government to support county's efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to flood victims.

"The county alone does not have the capacity to handle what we are expressing. The national government should intervene to avert suffering of our people," he said

Torbi-Bubisa MCA Huka Galgallo, whose ward is among the worst hit, while thanking the governor for the donations, said that it was time the leadership from the county came 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," he said.

"Many farmers needs long-term assistance with seeds to plant their fields. Many people have lost their livestock and need further assistance to replace their assets." 

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.

Molu Liban from Badanrero said he could not remove anything from his house after the flood struck.

"When I saw the rising water coming like a strong wave, we all ran away leaving our property. I thank God that I did not lose any of my family members," he said.

"We lost so many things. We need help and assistance from government and Good Samaritans for us to be able to return to normal life."