CBM formalising partnership with KRC

In response to the current Horn of Africa food crisis, CBM is currently looking into the development of a partnership with Kenya Red Cross to ensure help reach the most vulnerable and affected communities in Northern Kenya immediately. CBM has been present in Kenya for several years, working together with our partners to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities.  In times of crises such as these, People with Disabilities tend to be more vulnerable and CBM is committed to stand by Kenyan people with disabilities even at this time, doing what we can to ensure the necessary help is accessible to them as quickly as possible.

“It is shocking that in the 21st Century a world with well advanced communication systems making it a global village, there are people that are still face starvation and the response is slow,” says Valerie Scherrer CBM’s Emergency Coordinator responding to the Horn of Africa food crisis. Valerie is in Kenya currently and along with a team from CBM will be visiting affected areas in Eastern and Northern Kenya to assess the situation and particularly the impact on persons with disabilities.

The discussion on partnership with KRC takes on a multi-phase approach which includes provision of immediate assistance to affected communities over the next six months. In the longer terms CBM together with long term partner Association of Physically Disabled of Kenya wish also to work  alongside Kenya Red Cross to mainstream disability into their emergency response activities and develop the capacity of their teams to better support people with disabilities during times of emergency.

In 2008, CBM also responded by providing support through Kenya Red Cross to make food and domestic kits available to internally displaced people following the post election violence, followed by long term risk recovery solutions for affected persons with disabilities together with our implementing partners around the country.