Save the Children's response to the political agreement in Kenya on 28/02/08

David Wightwick, Save the Children's Kenya emergencies expert, said "The political crisis in Kenya has been played out in displays of shocking violence that have scarred the country..."

Friday 29 February 2008

"....If this settlement marks the end of that violence and the beginning of a healing process, then the agreement must be welcomed, embraced and supported. But this is only the first step on what will be a rocky road. Of itself this settlement does not mark the end, but only the beginning, of peace."  
 
"Children have born the brunt of this conflict. Early statistics on the victims of violence in certain areas showed that 40 per cent were children, and many are in danger of suffering the long-term psychological effects of having lost their homes and being witness to or victims of attacks and abuse." 
 
Save the Children estimates at least 150,000 children are now living in congested, makeshift camps, often without clean water, sanitation and schooling, and as the rainy season approaches this situation is set to worsen. Many children are completely unprotected from abuse and exploitation, including sexual violence. 

Wightwick continued:
 
"it will not be easy for these families to return home. The areas from which they fled may still be hostile territory, and there is no guarantee that their lives are no longer at risk from those from whom they originally sought to escape. Many have nothing to return to. But it is equally fraught to move to new, unknown territory, where resources, such as water or accommodation and access to healthcare or schools, may be scarce. Transplanting large numbers of people, with no land rights, onto already existing communities could lead to further tensions."
 
"This political settlement must move quickly to address the issue of people displaced by violence and the views of displaced people must be heard and taken into account in any proposals to close camps and resettle the residents.  As a start, the government must move to protect all those at risk from violence, focusing on those who chose to return home and those who are left in camps." 
 
"It is by this issue that Kenyan leaders on both sides of this dispute should and will be judged. They will also be judged by the language they use in the coming days and weeks. There must be no tolerance of inflammatory statements designed to play to supportive factions."
 
"The humanitarian impacts of this crisis will continue for many months. Save the Children and other such organisations will play their part to help those affected by the violence. But it is up to Kenyans, with the support of the international community, to take the lead in ensuring this agreement leads to long-lasting stability for Kenya's children."

 

Background briefing: key Issues for children

 

Camps:
  •  Over 100,000 children still live in makeshift camps. Most of these will not be able to return home any time soon.
  • Save the Children is deeply worried about the sanitation in many of the camps and the risk of disease and malnutrition- particularly when the rainy season begins (in March).
  • Children still face abuse and exploitation, some even in the camps for displaced people.
Schooling:
  • Many of the affected children have dropped out of school, both children who have been displaced, and children living in areas to which displaced communities have fled.
  • Large numbers of teachers have also fled the violence and have dispersed to different parts of the country.  The Kenyan authorities will need substantial support to help encourage teachers and children to return to schools where they feel safe. 
     
Separation:

  • There continues to be cases of parents or guardians who feel forced to place their children into homes because they cannot cope (for example, they have lost their means to earn a living and provide for their children, are afraid of returning home etc). 44 cases were recently highlighted in Eldoret.
     
Youth:
  • The situation for youth is particularly vulnerable; lack of opportunities are already leading to resentment and hostility. This is a key group where there should be an emphasis on stabilising efforts and resources.
Return:

Local people have frequently said to our staff that they don’t want [the respective minority tribe] back and will not accept them back. There is lots of talk about government resettlement programmes, but most people are very clear that reintegration will be impossible in the short term.

  • Many of the children are traumatised and need long term psychosocial support
  • The youngest children do not understand the situation, but as they get older tribal prejudices are passed through parents, friends and politicians. We need to preach peace at an early age, adequate education programmes are central to this.
     

Notes to editors


Early statistics on the victims of violence in certain areas showed that 40% were children. Data collated by Relief Web.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/AHAA-7AJTVS?OpenDocument
 
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