VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #2360/01 3201109
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161109Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1554
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0659
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA 5339
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 0229
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 3388
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7597
RUEHSUN/USMISSION USUN ROME IT
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 4703

UNCLAS NAIROBI 002360 
 
AIDAC 
 
AID/DCHA JBRAUSE 
DCHA/OFDA FOR CCHAN; ACONVERY; KCHANNELL; MBEERS; 
APIYAKA DCHA/FFP JBORNS; JDWORKEN; SANTHONY; CMUTAMBA; 
DNELSON; 
AID/AFR/EA JESCALONA 
 
USUN FOR DMERCADO 
ROME FOR HSPANOS 
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH 
BRUSSELS FOR USEU JADDLETON; PBROWN 
NSC FOR CPRATT 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
 
TAGS: EAID PHUM PREL PREF KE
SUBJECT: USAID/OFDA COAST PROVINCE FLOODS ASSESSMENT 
 
REF: A) NAIROBI 2196 
 
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SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1.  (U) According to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), 
heavy rains from late October to early November resulted 
in flooding in Malindi, Magarini, Kwale, Kilifi, 
Mombasa, and Tana Delta districts, Coast Province, 
killing at least four people and displacing more than 
1,000 households.  In response, USAID's Office of U.S. 
Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) staff visited 
Coast Province from November 5 to 9 to assess flood- 
related damage, humanitarian needs, and ongoing response 
efforts.  According to USAID/OFDA staff observations and 
discussions with humanitarian agencies, the floods 
mostly affected Magarini and Tana Delta districts, with 
Malindi, Kwale, Kilifi, and Mombasa districts sustaining 
limited damage and displacement.  In all districts 
assessed, Government of Kenya (GoK) ministries, KRCS, 
and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are meeting 
the basic needs of flood-affected populations through 
the provision of emergency food and relief supplies. 
USAID/OFDA continues to closely monitor the situation 
and maintains flexible programming mechanisms to 
facilitate rapid response to emergency situations if 
necessary.  End summary. 
 
------------------------- 
2009 SHORT RAINS PROGRESS 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) As a result of an El Nino weather phenomenon 
(Ref A), the Kenya Meteorological Department has 
projected normal to above-normal October to December 
short rains throughout Kenya, primarily in flood-prone 
parts of Nyanza, Western, North Eastern, Eastern, and 
Coast provinces.  While humanitarian agencies expect 
enhanced rains to result in improvements in agriculture 
and food security in drought-affected areas, heavy rains 
would also likely result in flooding, reduced 
humanitarian access, increased disease among humans and 
animals, and crop damage. 
 
¶3.  (U) From October 28 to November 1, heavy rains in 
Malindi, Magarini, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Tana 
Delta districts, Coast Province, resulted in floods, 
displacing at least 1,000 households and destroying or 
damaging houses, latrines, and roads.  In addition, 
floods washed away GoK-provided seeds, potentially 
negatively affecting short rains crop production. 
However, KRCS and GoK ministries note that floods have 
not resulted in significant increases in diseases or 
livestock deaths to date.  As of November 6, the UN 
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 
reported that most areas in Coast Province, including 
flood-prone districts, had received limited or no rain 
since November 1, and USAID/OFDA staff noted a lack of 
water remaining in most previously flood-affected 
districts, with the exception of Tana Delta District. 
 
------------------- 
TANA DELTA DISTRICT 
------------------- 
 
¶4.  (U) On November 5, USAID/OFDA staff visited the 
 
most-affected Tana Delta District--previously the 
southern part of Tana River District--to assess the 
humanitarian situation of flood-affected individuals. 
According to a World Vision rapid assessment, floods in 
Garsen and Tarassa divisions, Tana Delta District, 
displaced or affected an estimated 779 households, or 
approximately 4,674 people, as well as submerged houses 
and destroyed roads, preventing access to some affected 
areas.  Of the affected population, KRCS estimates that 
floods displaced 485 households in Tana Delta District, 
with the majority of displaced individuals belonging to 
the pastoralist Orma ethic group.  As the population is 
semi-nomadic, most Orma houses are semi-permanent and 
constructed out of woven mats and grass, making the 
houses vulnerable to heavy rains or floods. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) During the assessment, USAID/OFDA staff 
obsQved pools of water remaining in several low-lying 
areas of the district, particularly in locations 
surrounding Ortha sub-location.  USAID/OFDA staff noted 
that water levels of approximately 4 to 5 feet in some 
areas have restricted access; however, populations 
continue to move between affected locations and areas on 
higher ground for assistance.  (Note:  During the 
assessment USAID/OFDA staff also visited the Tana River. 
Despite recent KRCS and media reports to the contrary, 
USAID/OFDA staff noted that the Tana River has not yet 
overflowed.  USAID/OFDA staff note that water levels 
would have to rise by 13 to 15 feet before the river 
would overflow.  (End Note)  Displaced individuals are 
currently residing in camps in Tana Delta, where KRCS, 
NGOs, and GoK ministries have provided individuals with 
assistance, including blankets, tarps, food, kitchen 
sets, and water treatment tablets. 
 
----------------- 
MAGARINI DISTRICT 
----------------- 
 
¶6.  (U) In the newly-created Magarini District--formerly 
located in eastern Malindi District--USAID/OFDA staff 
met with KRCS, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) staff, NGOs, 
and flood-displaced individuals to discuss humanitarian 
conditions in displaced person camps.  According to 
KRCS, floods in Magarini District killed two individuals 
and displaced an estimated 588 households to neighboring 
schools and other facilities, as well as destroyed a 
section of the Malindi-Garsen road.  (Note:  The road is 
currently passable by heavy-duty vehicle or foot.  (End 
Note)  To permit schools to resume classes, local 
organizations subsequently moved displaced individuals 
to four camps within the district. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) As of November 8, KRCS reported that an 
estimated 547 households resided in the four Magarini 
District camps, with 38 percent of displaced households 
residing in Kurawa camp.  (Note:  USAID/OFDA staff 
observed slightly lower numbers of households residing 
in the camps than the KRCS-reported figures.  In 
addition, USAID/OFDA staff were unable to confirm 
whether households remained in the camps at night and 
returned in the morning to receive assistance or whether 
individuals remained permanently in the camps.  (End 
Note)  As the district has not received significant 
rainfall for more than 10 days and most areas are 
currently dry, local officials noted that individuals 
may return to areas of origin in the coming weeks, 
pending lack of further heavy rains. 
 
¶8.  (U) USAID/OFDA staff noted that populations within 
the camps are receiving a significant amount of support 
from UNICEF, through KRCS, and the GoK.  Among the 
assistance provided to affected households, KRCS has 
distributed emergency food assistance and relief items, 
including 2,000 blankets, 300 tarps, 1,000 mosquito 
nets, 1,200 water containers, 300 buckets, 178 kitchen 
sets, and 4,400 water treatment tablets.  To limit the 
spread of disease, the GoK Ministry of Public Health has 
also established mobile heath clinics and distributed 
water treatment tablets and medicines to affected 
individuals. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
MALINDI, KILIFI, MOMBASA, AND KWALE DISTRICTS 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (U) In remaining flood-affected districts, 
USAID/OFDA staff observed limited flood damage and 
displacement, with most individuals returning to houses 
as water levels receded.  According to local NGOs and 
GoK officials, water levels in the districts reached 
approximately 2 to 3 feet during early November, 
primarily due to limited drainage capacity and the 
location of houses in low-lying areas.  However, as of 
November 9, USAID/OFDA staff noted little to no water 
remaining and variable damage to houses in flood- 
affected areas in Malindi, Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale 
districts.  According to local NGOs and USAID/OFDA 
observations, floods primarily affected older, less 
permanent houses, with many houses remaining at least 
partially intact.  Local NGOs report that flood-affected 
individuals have sought shelter with relatives or host 
families or remain in damaged houses.  To date, local 
NGOs and GoK ministries have worked to support 
individuals in flood-affected districts. 
 
---------- 
CONCLUSION 
---------- 
 
¶10.  (U) Based on the assessment, USAID/OFDA staff note 
limited long-term flood damage and displacement within 
Coast District, and relief agencies expect the majority 
of displaced individuals to return to houses as flood 
waters continue to recede.  However, humanitarian and 
GoK officials consistently highlighted that further 
heavy rains could create significant problems in areas 
already vulnerable due to previous floods, particularly 
if the Tana River overflows. 
 
¶11.  (U) At present, USAID/OFDA staff report a 
sufficient humanitarian response to floods in Coast 
Province.  However, USAID/OFDA continues to maintain a 
robust network of implementing partners across Kenya 
capable of providing rapid, life-saving interventions in 
response to potential flooding and emergency situations, 
if required.  USAID/OFDA staff continues to liaise with 
UN, NGO, and GoK agencies in Coast Province and other 
flood-affected areas and closely monitor the progression 
of the short rains season. 
 
RANNEBERGER