UNFPA Assists Kenyans Displaced by Post-Election Violence
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on all Kenyans to stop the violence that has torn apart their nation in recent weeks, claiming over 800 lives and displacing more than a quarter of a million people. Pointing to a humanitarian crisis that is “unprecedented” in Kenya, Mr. Ban called on all political leaders to look beyond individual or partisan interests and resolve their differences peacefully.
Mr. Ban arriving in Nairobi February 1, 2008 to give his full support to the Panel of Eminent African Persons, led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which is trying to resolve the crisis that began just over a month ago after Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner over opposition leader in December elections.
“The people and leaders of Kenya, particularly political leaders, have the duty, and the responsibility, to wake up and reverse this tragic path before it escalates into the horrors of mass killings and devastation we have witnessed in recent history,” stated Ban.
As the violence persists in parts of the country, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund and other UN agencies are providing relief to those affected. UNFPA is providing urgently needed medical equipment and supplies to the thousands of people displaced by political violence in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi as well as affected areas in other parts of the country, including Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Mombasa.
To assist thousands of pregnant women who find themselves beyond the reach of health facilities, UNFPA is providing clean delivery kits and working to ensure that women experiencing complications are referred to nearby heath facilities and that displaced couples have access to family planning services.
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UNFPA is particularly concerned about reports of increased sexual violence in the displacement settlements. At least one hospital in the affected areas has reported that the number of rapes, especially gang rapes, has increased significantly over the past three weeks. UNFPA is providing medicine and equipment to help treat these cases of violence, including post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection and medications to treat gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia.
In addition to medical support, UNFPA is working with the Ministry of Health, the Red Cross, the Nairobi Women’s Hospital and other local organizations to provide psychosocial and legal support to sexual violence survivors in the 42 camps where people have sought refuge. The camps are spread throughout Nyanza, Western, Nairobi, Rift Valley and Coast provinces. UNFPA is also assessing existing interventions to respond to gender-based violence, identify gaps, and map organizations already working in this area to ensure coordination and avoid duplication of efforts.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s address to the Summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa
No Woman Should Die Giving Life
Sexual Violence Threatens Women and Girls in Kenya's Post-Election Crisis