More than 300 flood victims in Nyando, Kisumu county have received relief food even as they called for a permanent solution to perennial floods.
Hundreds of flood victims are still stranded at various evacuation camps in Nyando. They are depending on well-wishers for support such as food and personal effects.
The victims, majority of whom are still camping at Ombaka primary school, benefited from assorted food items donated by Rana Auto Selection Limited.
The school, which still serves as an evacuation camp despite resumption of learning, is hosting about 270 flood victims.
Rana's CEO Sultan Ali Khan, who presided over the drive, gave the victims a cash token and pledged to extend the donations to flood victims in other evacuation camps in Kisumu.
“We are appealing to well-wishers to join hands and support those displaced by floods in the county. These people need more aid,” Khan said.
The company's Western region sales and marketing manager, Stephen Odhiambo, said a permanent solution should be found.
“The government in collaboration with other development partners can find a solution to the devastating effects of floods which displaces thousands of families every year,” he said.
Odhiambo urged government agencies and well-wishers to support victims in the various camps.
The aid should focus towards ensuring victims are reinstated back to the community, to continue with their normal life.
"It's important for us to continue supporting our people who are here with foodstuffs such as these because they badly need it,” Odhiambo said.
He called for speedy action to find alternative shelter for victims who are still forced to coexist with learners in schools.
Teachers at Ombaka primary school say this has interfered with the concentration of the pupils who have no option but to accommodate those affected as their homes are still marooned.
The victims want the government to build dykes along River Nyando and complete the Koru-Soin dam to control floods.
Domitila Adede, 74, was rushed to the camp over three weeks ago after her home was submerged. She is yet to return since her house was brought down.
"My house was destroyed by the floods. I can't go back now and I have nowhere to live. That's why I'm still staying in this tent here," she said.
Joseph Otieno, 67, said he has nowhere to go after his house was completely destroyed.
“We are only relying on the support from the well-wishers, county and national governments to survive,” he said.
Ombaka assistant chief Neto Awich attributed the low pace of return to normalcy to huge property destruction in the area.
The victims, he said, incurred huge losses owing to the flooding.
“We are trying to urge them to go back to their homes. This is however not easy because most of these people came here as their last resort. Their houses were marooned by water and everything was damaged,” Awich said.
He said national and county governments were committed to supporting victims to resume their normal lives.
Even though hundreds of victims have been integrated back to their communities, several others are still struggling at camps.
