UN humanitarian chief begins three-day visit to Kenya

(New York/Geneva/Nairobi, 8 February 2008): John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, today arrived in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, to begin a three-day visit to the country. During his mission, Mr. Holmes will assess the humanitarian situation in Kenya and ensure the United Nations' sustained support to the people of Kenya in the midst of the on-going humanitarian crisis in the country.

'I want to see for myself the humanitarian situation on the ground and to understand where we need to take our aid efforts in the future so that we reach people in need in all parts of Kenya,' said Mr. Holmes. 'I also lend my voice to others in the international community who have said that the political problem must be solved through negotiation and mediation, and lend my support to Kofi Annan's mediation team,' he said.

On the first day of his visit in Nairobi, Mr. Holmes met with former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who is leading mediation efforts between the Government and the opposition to discuss how humanitarian assistance can contribute to ending the current political crisis. Later, Mr. Holmes met with Ms. Naomi Shaban, Minister of State for Special Programmes, and Ms. Rachel Arungah, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry, on implementation of joint relief operations between the Government, the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). He also held talks with Mr. Abbas Gullet, Secretary-General of the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), a key humanitarian partner, whose 60,000 volunteers have led much of the relief effort.

Mr. Holmes also met with senior United Nations officials in Kenya, including Ms. Elizabeth Lwanga, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Kenya, Ms. Anna Tibaijuka, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and Director-General of the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), and Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He also met with OCHA staff. Mr Holmes concluded the day with informal consultations with Gen. Daniel Opande, Former Force Commander of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), and Prof. Michael Chege of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

As many as 1,000 people have been killed and over 310,000 people have become internally displaced in the six weeks following the announcement of the results of the disputed Presidential elections of 27 December that sparked acute violence throughout the country. The Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western provinces as well as slum areas of Nairobi have been most affected by the unrest. In addition, some 12,000 Kenyans have fled to neighbouring Uganda. As international mediation efforts continue, the United Nations agencies and their humanitarian partners are working to provide immediate relief to almost a half a million people.

On Saturday, 9 February, Mr. Holmes will travel to the cities of Nakuru and Molo in the west of the country, where he will meet with those affected by the violence.

For further information, please call: Christina Bennett, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 8059, mobile +1 917 435 8617; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570; Jens Laerke, OCHA-ROCEA-Nairobi, +254 (20) 762 2119, mobile +254 (0)7 22 513 503. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.