Emergency Grant for Kenya

SCIAF today agreed an emergency grant of £20,000 to provide food, shelter and clean water to help 2,000 people who have fled violence in a Kenyan slum and taken refuge in the grounds of an HIV/AIDS project run by Catholic nuns.

The money will also help 150 women and up to 500 children leave the compound and join family in secure rural areas once it is safe for them to travel.

The appeal for help came from Greenock born Sister Placida McCann, whose Live With Hope Project in the town of Kericho is supported by SCIAF.

She told the charity that 2,000 people were camping out in the church compound. Many of them lost everything in the violence which erupted following the disputed election result. Others managed to drag furniture and household utensils into the compound before their houses were destroyed.

The money will be used to provide basic emergency provisions of clean water, soap, food, household utensils, blankets and plastic sheeting.

Sister Placida said:"We have six latrines for 2,000 people and three water points.

"Many of the people who have come to us have lost everything except the clothes on their backs.

"Pray for us and this country of Kenya"

January 8th 2008