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Lamu County wins 2024 Averted Disaster Award for flood, cholera response

Shee Kupi Shee, Lamu County's Director of Disaster Risk Management and Peace Building, receives the Averted Disaster Award at the 2024 Understanding Risk Global Forum. (Photo: Lamu EOC)

By Farhiya Hussein | Monday, July 1, 2024

The World Bank highlighted the crucial role of the Lamu Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) during the severe flooding and cholera outbreak that hit the region between October and December 2023.

Lamu County has won the 2024 Averted Disaster Award from the World Bank Hub for its exceptional efforts in responding to disasters via the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC).

The announcement was made in June at the 2024 Understanding Risk Global Forum (UR24 Forum), a four-day conference of disaster risk management (DRM) experts and practitioners from around the world.

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The Averted Disaster Award, created in December 2021, recognises proactive interventions worldwide that help communities function, thrive, and recover quickly in the face of disaster risk. It gives visibility to successful DRM programs and policies, highlighting the importance of proactive intervention in ensuring community resilience.

Since its inception in 2016, the EOC has successfully averted at least five major disasters.

Photo: Lamu EOC

The World Bank highlighted its crucial role during the severe flooding and cholera outbreak that hit the region between October and December 2023.

According to the lender, in response to advisories from the Kenyan Meteorological Department, the EOC implemented extensive preparatory measures.

“These included disseminating tailored information to the community, identifying and stocking 12 evacuation centres, and evacuating 4,900 at-risk families (approximately 18,000 people) and relocating 20,000 livestock and property to higher ground. The evacuation was completed 21 days before the floods, with evacuees provided with shelter, food, water, healthcare, and other amenities throughout the crisis,” a press statement said.

Despite significant challenges, including the isolation of Lamu County due to damage to the main connecting highway and an influx of displaced persons from other counties, the EOC's proactive measures ensured no human or animal lives were lost during the floods.

“The EOC's success in mobilising support from national and international agencies was instrumental in addressing these challenges,” the World Bank noted.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano praised Governor Issa Timamy for the achievement, saying, "You have put Kenya on the global map. Your outstanding disaster risk management intervention has made an extraordinary impact on the community and future generations."

A file picture of staff of Lamu County's Emergency Operation Centre (EOC). (Photo: Lamu EOC)

In the DRM world, success means ‘nothing happens’, which can lead policymakers and society to undervalue the importance of proactive intervention.

The county chief established the EOC as a central hub for coordinating all types of disasters within the county, whether they occur at sea, on land, or in the air.

Lamu was nominated for the award in January, alongside Jamaica, Turkey, the Southern African region, and India.

The award ceremony took place at the UR24 Forum in Himeji, Japan, from June 16 to 21 this year.