India sends food, medicine in support of Kenya's flood victims

The second tranche of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief consignments containing 40 tonnes of medicines, medical supplies and other equipment to assist flood victims leaves for Kenya on may 14, 2024. (Photo: X/Dr. S. Jaishankar)

By Mary Wambui
Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The donation comes amidst the government's pleas for assistance from local and international partners.

In a show of solidarity and support for victims of the ongoing flooding situation in the country, the government of India has sent fresh consignments of relief material to Kenya.

The donation arrived in the country in two batches; one last week aboard the Indian Naval Ship (ISN) Sumedha consisting of food, relief and medicine supplies and another today consisting of 40 tonnes of medicines and other supplies arrived today.

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India's external Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the donation is part of India, "Standing up for a historical partnership, a Vishwabandhu to the world."

"The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief consignments were sent to Kenya in a military transport aircraft," the Times of India noted on Tuesday.

Today's consignment will be received by the High Commissioner of India at the Embakasi Military Hangar who will then hand it over to government representatives Tuesday afternoon.

"The Indian Navy Ship Sumedha, as the first operator in the Indian Ocean, has handed over food, aid and medical supplies to the flood victims to the Government of Kenya. We Indians express our condolences for the loss of life," the High Commission said on Friday last week.

The Indian Naval Ship Sumedha handed over food, relief and medicine supplies for flood victims to the Government of Kenya on May 10, 2024. (Photo: High Commission of India, Nairobi)

The donation comes amidst the government's pleas for assistance from local and international partners.

"The government will continue to provide the required support to the affected communities and we urge fellow Kenyans, as well as our local and international partners, to continue to work with us, in providing search and rescue services as well as food and non-food item supplies to the affected households," Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said while giving an update on the flooding situation on Monday.

The heavy rains that have pounded the country since March have so far claimed 289 lives and displaced 55,575 households countrywide.

"The floods have also impacted a total of 62 health facilities in 11 counties and damaged 419 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities in 20 counties. Further, 53 cholera cases have been reported so far with the Ministry of Health together with Kenya Red Cross, conducting medical outreach programmes for cholera control and other waterborne diseases in Tana River and Marsabit Counties," Mwaura added.