MISSISSAUGA, Ont. (Jan 11, 2008) – While peace talks stall between political leaders in Kenya, children—the most vulnerable of those affected by post-election violence—continue to suffer, international aid organization World Vision said on Friday.

More than 60,000 children are among the estimated 250,000 people who have been displaced from their homes. Many of these children were already at risk even before the recent violence erupted. Twenty per cent of Kenya’s children are underweight for their age, according to United Nations statistics. As many as 163,000 children die here annually, the majority from preventable diseases. Those who survive do not have adequate access to water, food, health care and education. Now they face even greater, potentially life-threatening challenges.

World Vision aid workers in Nairobi report that children arriving at food distribution sites are hungry and traumatized by what they have recently experienced. Many are from Kibera—Nairobi’s sprawling shantytown that comprises Africa’s largest slum.

“Children there are already the most vulnerable in Kenyan society. Now they have been uprooted and they are sleeping in the open. Their access to medical facilities and clean water is even more limited. The death rate, which has always been among the highest in the country, will probably rise even higher,” said Wilfred Mlay, Vice President of Africa for World Vision.

Margaret Wanjiru, 21, and her 3-month-old baby, Maryanne, are among the displaced from Kibera. She escaped as youth armed with machetes started torching houses.

“When I noticed they were nearing our house, I took my only child and fled the slum,” Wanjiru told World Vision staff as she queued for food at a makeshift camp in Nairobi. “Life in the camp is difficult. We sleep on the floor and we have no blankets to cover ourselves. My child cries a lot at night,” she said.

World Vision is assisting nearly 155,000 displaced people in Nairobi and in conflict-affected towns including Eldoret, Kisumu and Mombassa. The organization is providing families with milk, bread and lentils as well as blankets, mosquito nets, water containers, tarpaulins, soap and kitchen sets. World Vision is working in partnership with the Kenya Red Cross Society, UN agencies, fellow local NGOs and churches to meet the needs of affected people.

Reports indicate that one per cent of the Kenya’s population is internally displaced and thousands of others have fled into neighbouring countries. The crisis will have long-term implications for the country’s political, economic and social structures. In a letter to peace negotiator John Kufuor, head of the African Union, World Vision urged the international community to take immediate steps to address the humanitarian crisis. (Click here for letter)

“This one week of violence will no doubt impact people’s lives for a long time. Incomes have been affected, particularly for those whose businesses have been destroyed or who rely on passing trade,” said World Vision’s Humanitarian Advisor for Africa, Nick Wasunna.

“People are not yet ready to forgive. There will need to be a lot of reconciliation. It will not happen overnight and certain levels of trust need to be built. This is going to be a process from here on in,” he said.

World Vision has conducted community development in Kenya since 1974. Programs include providing potable water, access to education, agricultural development, income generating projects as well as AIDS awareness and care for people living with the disease. World Vision donors sponsor 135,000 children in Kenya, including 13,959 sponsored by Canadians.

World Vision is accepting donations to help people affected by the crisis in Kenya. Those wishing to help can visit WorldVision.ca or call 1-800-268-5528.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

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World Vision staff are available for media interviews. Please contact:

Yoko Kobayashi
905-565-6200 ext. 2151
416-671-0086 (cell)
yoko_kobayashi@WorldVision.ca