The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) through its KEPSA Foundation has committed to provide assistance to the affected communities during the on-going floods.
The Foundation will aid the victims through the Private Sector flood Response Initiative that is being implemented with KEPSA members, development partners and the government.
KEPSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Carole Kariuki said the Alliance recognises the urgent need for coordinated action to alleviate the suffering of the affected communities and aims to reach at least 10,000 households gravely affected and displaced by the floods.
“KEPSA Foundation has issued a rallying call to mobilise private sector support for donations towards this cause under the Private Sector Flood Response initiative,” said the CEO, while singling out government ministries, non-profit organisations and local communities as among its partners.
Under the Initiative, KEPSA foundation on Thursday commenced the distribution of food and non-food items in Kibera community and today Friday and tomorrow Saturday it will undertake the exercise in other affected areas in Nairobi among them, Githurai, Mukuru and Mathare.
The items being distributed were donated by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and Chandaria Foundation, which has provided 14 trucks of 400 bales each of assorted food. Chandaria has also pledged medical supplies worth Sh300,000 for a free medical camp in Mai Mahiu in partnership with Asian Foundation.
The distribution is being done in partnership with SHOFCO, Mama Doing Good, Global Peace Foundation and Team Pankaj Foundation. Team Pankaj Foundation provided 16,300 mattresses, 4,000 relief food hampers, 16,000 cups and plates, 16,000 blankets and clothing items.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms, KEPSA noted that it remains steadfast in leveraging its resources and expertise to support the government’s relief and recovery efforts in coordination with the National Committee on Disaster Response.
The support effort initiative coincides with the private sector’s call to develop sustainable and localised solutions, such as implementing comprehensive zoning regulations to prevent construction in flood prone areas, investing in sustainable drainage systems and flood barriers and promoting afforestation, reforestation to enhance natural water retention and reduce soil erosion to enhance resilience to climate change.
By Bernadette Khaduli
