Eastleigh

Eastleigh volunteers join hands in donating essentials to flood victims

Volunteer groups and organisations give food aid to flood victims at Eastleigh High School, Nairobi, on May 12, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

By Hanifa Adan | Sunday, May 12, 2024

They gave clothes, sanitary towels, shoes, mattresses, and blankets to at least 40 families from the Mukuru kwa Njenga and Kware areas.

In a heartwarming display of community solidarity, volunteer groups and organisations in Eastleigh, Nairobi, led by the Ridhaa Foundation, rallied to provide essential items to flood victims.

At Eastleigh High School on Sunday, they gave clothes, sanitary pads, shoes, mattresses, and blankets to at least 40 families from the Mukuru kwa Njenga and Kware areas of Pipeline.

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Many of these families lost their homes to the floods or demolitions by the government, which have taken place to compel people in risky areas to move to safer parts.

Abdi Duba and Beatrice Mueni, some of the beneficiaries of donations to flood victims that were distributed at Eastleigh High School, Nairobi, on May 12, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

Abdi Duba, a resident of Mukuru kwa Njenga, said he was "very happy" to be one of the beneficiaries.

Beatrice Mueni, a mother of three, said all flood victims were struggling to rebuild.

"Almost everyone here is from Mukuru kwa Njenga. We are trying our best to start life afresh so this is a blessing."

Abdi Ibrahim, one of the beneficiaries of donations to flood victims that were distributed at Eastleigh High School, Nairobi, on May 12, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

Abdi Ibrahim, another beneficiary, said his family's house was demolished shortly after the floods.

"We have nothing left, not even mattresses, and yet schools are reopening. It has been hard for everyone. We are glad we got help today, and we hope for more for every affected family," he said.

Ridhaa foundation Chair Abdiaziz Mohammud is pictured at Eastleigh High School, Nairobi, on May 12, 2024, during the distribution of aid to flood victims (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

Ridhaa Foundation Chair Abdiaziz Mohammud said the organisation initially focused on assisting orphans in Eastleigh since its establishment in 2021, but that they were engaging in more humanitarian work.

"We collected clothes door-to-door to distribute today. We identified them on the ground and also raised funds to buy essentials," he said.

Eastleigh North Chief Mohammed Issack gives a speech during the donation of essentials to flood victims at Eastleigh High School, Nairobi, on May 12, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

Eastleigh North Chief Mohammed Issack praised the volunteers and urged more individuals to step forward and assist flood victims.

"We are grateful to the youths of Eastleigh for their graceful gesture and to other well-wishers who have taken their time to donate," he said.

Some of the beneficiaries of donations to flood victims that were distributed at Eastleigh High School, Nairobi, on May 12, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

The national and county governments, agencies such as the Kenya Red Cross Society, and private volunteers, both individuals and groups, have been donating various items to flood victims in camps set up across the country.

As of May 10, the national death toll was 267, while the number of injured people was 188, according to the Health ministry. Seventy-five people were missing, while 56,367 households, or 281,835 individuals, had been displaced.