Appeal Target: US$ 78,639 

We are appealing for support to respond to the conflict emergency affecting the Mt. Elgon district of Kenya - where a long-standing dispute over land ownership has sparked violent clashes between two communities. The conflicts have left more people displaced and with increased tensions in the area. A total of 66,000 people (11,000 families) have been affected. The current death toll from the clashes is 202; with 148 deaths due to shooting and machete wounds, 36 deaths from malnutrition (mostly children) and 18 deaths from diseases such as pneumonia, malaria and upper respiratory infections attributed to the cold Mt. Elgon weather. The wounded continue to seek medical care in the Bungoma and Mt. Elgon hospitals.

Most residents have been left extremely vulnerable, as their houses have been burned, food stocks destroyed and their livestock and livelihood threatened. Some of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have sought refuge in the Kapsokwony and Kaptama divisions within the district and in the neighbouring districts of Bungoma, Teso and Busia. The Chwele, Lwandanyi and Malakisi divisions of the Bungoma district and Tamulega division in the Teso district are also hosting the IDPs. There are also reports that over 6,000 people have fled into Uganda.

ACT member, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), will be partnering with the Kenya-based Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) to respond to the humanitarian needs of the affected communities. PDA and PCEA plan to supply assorted food items such as maize, beans, “ujimix” and maize floor, shelter materials including roofing sheets and nails, blankets and some very basic utensils like cooking pots, cups and plates.

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