JERSEY SENDS £75,000 IN EMERGENCY AID TO KENYA

AND OVER £600,000 IS ALLOCATED TOWARDS LONGER TERM SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS.

The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission has awarded three of its UK based principle agencies, British Red Cross, CAFOD and UNICEF £75,000 towards the provision of emergency aid to those affected by the recent events in Kenya. Deputy Huet, Chairman for the Commission confirmed that “the Commission waited to review exactly to which areas Jersey’s funding should be directed.  Whilst the immediate response was to send money straight away it is crucial that we target the most vulnerable and needy.  The agencies selected have an established network on the ground and a proven track record with the Commission.  Funding will go directly from the UK branch to their own ‘in country’ offices”  

The British Red Cross working through the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, through the extensive network of branches and trained volunteers throughout the affected provinces has been able to access some of the volatile areas.  They have been able to respond quickly and efficiently and are continuing to give support to the people affected.  Medical kits, drugs and other supplies have been distributed to hospitals and a Red Cross surgeon has also been sent to the hospital in Eldoret, where the violence has been particularly severe, to treat the injured.  Assisted by the Ministry of Health officials in providing health intervention to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS), the request includes medical equipment and kits, drugs and other supplies to help the injured as well as support to thousands of displaced people with food, household items, water and sanitation

CAFOD is responding to the current situation in different parts of the country in partnership with other Caritas member organisations, all working through diocesan structures at parish levels. As a member of the Kenya Food Security Meeting which brings together all actors responding to such emergencies and coordinated by the government Ministry of State for Special Programmes, CAFOD aims to direct its support to areas that are not adequately being reached by other NGO’s (non government organisations). These areas include, but are not limited to, Nairobi slums and Mombasa.  Through the Archdiocese of Mombasa CAFOD intends to continue the support of the displaced people with the provision of the food, medicine, clothing, bedding and personal hygiene items. CAFOD has had a working relationship with the Archdiocese of Mombasa since 2005 and in late 2006 and early 2007 the Archdiocese managed Jersey Overseas Aid Commission funds during a period of severe flooding. This new short project will be managed by existing staff within the Archdiocese who have experience of managing emergency programmes. The structure of the Archdiocese working through local parishes provides a strong network for effective implementation and outreach to those most affected. CAFOD staff based in Nairobi will monitor project implementation in conjunction with Caritas Kenya and will keep in regular contact with the Archdiocese throughout this short response.

UNICEF has been working in Kenya for decades and has experience of dealing with a range of emergencies the country has faced over the years. Through partnerships with local NGOs they are able to reach families with food, clean water, medicines, blankets and other essential items. Funding from Jersey will assist UNICEF with the further distribution of family kits (over 3,000 having already been distributed containing water purification tablets, soap and water containers) and nutrition supplies including therapeutic milk, peanut paste, supplementary feeding kits and weighing scales to hospitals and health centres in the affected areas. Latrine slabs and potable toilets have been provided to help prevent the spread of disease in crowded areas.

THE COMMISSION’S ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL CHARITIES

In addition to the aid provided the Commission is trying to aid links with The Kisumu Orphans Education Fund fronted by Sue Deans, and other local charities, with its UK based established Aid Agencies in order that larger amounts of funding can be provided for longer term projects.  A current example of a successful partnership is the one currently established between Tools for Self Reliance and the Good News Trust, and the Kenyan Widows and Orphans Trust.  Nick Touzel, Trustee for the Good News Trust advised the Commission that having spoken with Jim Caulfield, Trustee for The Kenyan Widows and Orphans Trust, he was happy to report, “Our school projects are quite safe as they are not the target of attacks and are mostly in the villages which have not seen any violence”. 

THE PUBLIC’S RESPONSE

 On behalf of the Commission Deputy Huet would like to acknowledge the public’s generosity and compassion for the Kenyan communities with whom the Island has obviously established long term relationships with.  “The empathy Islanders have for those in desperate need never ceases to amaze me, their generosity is outstanding in situations such as these”.  

2008 grants awarded to long term sustainable projects:

AbleChildAfrica – Early childhood education - £19,724

AbleChildAfrica – Livelihood programme for young disabled adults - £30,217

Acord - Water supply and school project – £31,153

Amref – Water and sanitation programme - £54,530

Concern – Rural education - £65,000

Farm Africa – Dairy goat and capacity building –  £19,838

Farm Africa – Goat milk marketing - £32,899

International Childcare Trust – Empowerment and livelihood programme for children - £48,776

International Childcare Trust – Health and child survival - £61,483

Sightsavers – Trachoma control - £50,825

SOS Sahel – Pastoral development - £19,865

Tearfund – Water and sanitation support - £46,434

Tools for Self Reliance in Partnership with local Jersey charities Good News Trust and Kenya Widows and Orphans Trust - Water and schools programmes - £60,139 

Vetaid – Food security in drought prone areas - £61,862

JERSEY ALSO SENDS £50,000 IN EMERGENCY AID TO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND MOZAMBIQUE

The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission is also sending out this month funding to the Democratic Republic of Congo to support the basic needs and protection of women in refugee camps around Goma; and to Mozambique for food, medical supplies and water and sanitation provision,  in response those affected by the recent flooding.

Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel - Review of Overseas Aid

Jersey’s overseas aid underwent a review held by the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel which was presented to the States on 30th May 2007.  Part of that review concluded that the Island should embrace the aim of reaching the 0.7% of GNI target within a specific and reasonable timeframe. Whilst it was beyond the scope of the Sub-Panel’s review to advise on how an increase in our overseas aid contributions would be funded, it endorsed the formation of a group set up to see how the Island could aim to reach the 0.7% target.

The Funding Review Panel under the Chairmanship of Mr. G C Powell presented a report to the States of Jersey on Tuesday 18th September 2007.  The full report can be viewed at www.scrutiny.gov.je/reports