An MAF Disaster Response flight delivered essential supplies to a remote airstrip in northeastern Kenya, providing aid to 100 households recovering from devastating rains.
Sororo, a married mother of seven and a resident of Barambate village for 17 years, was among the beneficiaries of the essential commodities donated by Sign of Hope organisation to ease the aftereffects felt after the unprecedented floods.
She describes the situation for her community saying, "Never in my lifetime have I witnessed such severe flooding."
Never in my lifetime have I witnessed such severe flooding.
The residents of Barambate have suffered significant losses, with their homes destroyed and their livestock swept away. Sororo's family was deeply affected, losing their home and their donkeys to the floods.
She recalled, "We had to seek higher ground to ensure our safety."
With the rising cases of cholera infections, the aqua tabs we are providing will help the residents treat water and store the clean, safe drinking water in the collapsible jerrycans.
Sign of Hope was quick to respond to the much-needed emergency assistance providing blankets, sleeping mats, aqua tabs and collapsible jerrycans. Sororo expressed immense gratitude for the support and donations of essential items, that were flown on a MAF plane from the Kenyan capital Nairobi, which will help the community navigate through the immediate aftermath.
Sororo expressed, "Galatoma, waaqi akum isaan nujabatan isaan jabesina" which means “Thank you, may God bless and strengthen you.”
She was particularly overwhelmed with happiness upon receiving a blanket from Sign of Hope, providing some comfort during the cold nights.
The needs of Barambate, located 196 km from Marsabit town extend beyond the initial aid. The residents are from the Gabra community and are majorly pastoralists. The floods destroyed the local borehole pump that provided the residents with clean water, forcing them to rely on unsafe and contaminated river water which has led to a surge in cholera cases, worsening the community’s plight.
Asher Abayo, the Regional Field Coordinator at Sign of Hope, emphasised the importance of providing water purification tablets to the community.
He stated, “With the rising cases of cholera infections, the aqua tabs we are providing will help the residents treat water and store the clean, safe drinking water in the collapsible jerrycans.”
Sororo emphasised the urgent need to repair the borehole and provide healthcare support as there are no medical facilities nearby.
Food security is another critical concern because, with their livestock gone, many families are struggling. Access to safe drinking water and food supplies remains a priority for survival and recovery.
Sororo's story highlights the resilience of the Barambate community and their need for help from organisations like Sign of Hope who are partnering with MAF to provide continued support in rebuilding their lives.
MAF launched a Disaster Response to support the work of our programme in Kenya to urgently help the communities left badly affected by the flooding. On May 16th, an MAF flight flew Sign of Hope staff and 475 kg of supplies to North Horr airstrip in Marsabit County.