Caritas and its Catholic Church partners in Kenya are assisting 60,000 people caught in political and ethnic clashes following contested elections.

Caritas is providing food, shelter, water and healthcare to the people who’ve been forced form their homes and are seeking safety in churches, police stations and other venues.

Over 180,000 people have been displaced so far in violence that flared around allegations of vote rigging after the re-election of President Mwai Kibaki.

Caritas says what started out as a political crisis has taken on ethnic overtones. People from certain tribes have been targeted and their homes burned down, forcing them to flee.

There is a lack of food because homes and stores of crops have been burned or people are too frightened to return to them. Prices for basic commodities have rocketed, going up by up to 500% for some vegetables. The government has full stores of food in the Rift Valley and in Western Kenya.

Caritas says it is still possible to find a political solution before the situation further deteriorates into bloodshed. Caritas says this must involve reopening of dialogue between Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga. Caritas says it expects violence in the country to continue unless this happens but don’t believe Kenya will destabilize along the lines of Rwanda or the former Yugoslavia.

Caritas Kenya’s Emergency Coordinator Stephen Kituku said, “The priority in terms of humanitarian response is food, shelter, water and healthcare. People in the makeshift camps have no access to the necessary supplies. Caritas will be getting aid to people camped in various places for safety.

“The situation has deteriorated. We cannot tell how much worse it will get, but we are monitoring it closely. This depends on whether the two main political parties can come together to find a resolution.”

Caritas International Secretary General Lesley Anne Knight said, “The violence done to Kenya’s people has been deeply concerning. Kenya’s political leaders must seek dialogue quickly, bring an end to the clashes before they escalate, and address the root causes of the trouble.”

For an immediate response to the highly affected areas (Eldoret and Bungoma), Caritas members have pledged $30,000. Meanwhile, further needs assessments are being carried out.

The Catholic Church in Kenya has called for calm between the supporters of Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga and dialogue between the two leaders. The Bishops. have also urged for the setting up of an electoral commission to review the election results.

Meanwhile, the Church is urging all people to remain calm and restrain from any acts of violence.

See Appeal issued by the Kenya Episcopal Conference

Please contact: Caritas International Head of Communications Patrick Nicholson at 0039 06 698 79725 or 0039 334 3590700 or nicholson@caritas.va