Tuesday 10 June 2008

KENYA: Diocese Appeals for Funds to Help Thousands of Displaced People KISII


January 29, 2008 (CISA) -The Catholic Diocese of Kisii in western Kenya is appealing for urgent funds to help some 50,000 people displaced by the on-going post-election violence.The diocese is seeking Ksh 109.5 million to implement a disaster management programme to respond to the crisis in Kisii following the violence triggered by the disputed December 27 presidential election results.In conjunction with the Provincial Administration, the Diocese of Kisii is reaching out to the community to to try to assist all the internally displaced Persons in the Kisii region.According to a report from the diocese, the objectives of the project is to respond to the immediate needs of the IDPs, be in solidarity with them,, resettle the homeless, organize counselling sessions for them, assist the school going children go back to schools/colleges and work towards peace and reconciliation. The programme also intends to reach out to vulnerable groups such as children of all ages, women, youth, elderly and people with disabilities while at the same time strengthening the existing diocesan structures such as the Justice and Peace Commission and the already trained teams of paralegals and conflict managers at all levels of the diocese.The Disaster Management Team wishes to establish a permanent legal advisory centre, to offer rehabilitation services to victims of violence and rape.The project recognizes the needs of each of the vulnerable groups that have hitherto not been dealt with in a manner satisfactory to project. These groups include children, women, youth and persons with disabilities.According the report, so far, there are over 50,000 Kisii people displaced who need quick interventions from well-wishers.From January 3 to 21, the Catholic Diocese of Kisii alongside other churches and schools in the diocese has hosted over 25,000 IDPs who were on transit to various destinations.The project was inaugurated and commissioned by Bishop Joseph Mairura Okemwa of Kisii in January this year.

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