Resilience Amidst Devastation: Life After Kenya’s 2024 Floods

In Mathare, the community is recovering from the catastrophic floods of 2024, which displaced thousands and resulted in significant loss of life and property. Families continue to struggle with emotional and economic scars, exacerbated by government relocations. Efforts are underway to rehabilitate affected areas and create job opportunities as survivors look to build a more resilient future amidst the challenges posed by climate change.

In Mathare, an informal settlement of Nairobi, the devastation caused by the floods during the March-to-May rainy season of 2024 is evident. The torrential rains resulted in over 7,000 displaced persons by late April, with 294 fatalities reported across Kenya. Save the Children emphasized the recovery struggle in the wake of such destruction, highlighting the profound impact these events had on residents’ lives.

Doreen Achieng, a mother of four, recalls how her home was overtaken by floodwaters, reaching heights of three meters. Her prior home was lost, along with her livelihood as a food vendor, exacerbating her difficulties in affording school fees for her children. A medical report noted a significant loss of personal belongings and community support.

The floods claimed approximately 11,000 heads of livestock and damaged extensive agricultural land, with Nairobi being among the hardest hit areas. Informal settlements like Mathare, Kibera, and Mukuru were particularly vulnerable, compounding existing challenges that residents face, including poverty and limited infrastructure. Edward Okoth, a flood victim, described the severe conditions in temporary shelters, emphasizing food scarcity and the struggle for survival.

El Niño, a climate pattern linked to extreme weather, played a key role in these floods and underscores the vulnerability of Kenya’s poorer communities to climate variations. High-density informal settlements, particularly those near riverbanks, put many individuals at greater risk for flooding and related disasters, as highlighted by the Kenya Meteorological Department.

Sharon Dimanche, chief of mission for the International Organization for Migration in Kenya, highlighted the ongoing crisis of rising displacement due to climate change and natural disasters, stating that over 20 million people were displaced in the East and Horn of Africa by September 2024. This trend underscores the impact of climate change on migration patterns in the region.

Women and children were particularly affected by the floods, with reports indicating increased neglect and decreased school attendance among children in the region. Save the Children provided essential support, including mental health resources and sanitary supplies for those directly affected. Child protection specialist Irene Wali emphasized the emotional toll on children witnessing destruction and experiencing displacement.

In the wake of the floods, the Kenyan government’s response involved mass relocations of residents from flood-prone areas, further complicating recovery efforts. Many residents were forcibly evicted from their homes, with bulldozers demolishing structures, leading to sanitation issues in previously accessible areas. Despite the challenges, a recent court ruling offers hope for compensation for the affected residents.

Despite facing overwhelming hardship, survivors have begun to adapt by transforming riverbank areas previously occupied by homes into vegetable gardens, contributing to food security and income. The government’s ClimateWorX initiative aims to improve urban river ecosystems, providing job opportunities and rehabilitation efforts.

Community advocates like Easter Okech from the Kenya Female Advisory Organization call for better preparedness from the government for such natural occurrences, emphasizing the need for contingency planning and community involvement in urban development. The scars of this disaster will remain, but with adequate support and infrastructure, Mathare’s residents hope to build a more resilient future.

The floods in Kenya during 2024 have had profound effects on communities like Mathare, highlighting the need for improved disaster preparedness and support for vulnerable populations. The resilience shown by affected individuals, especially women and children, emphasizes the necessity for sustainable solutions to mitigate future risks. Continued efforts are required to address the underlying vulnerabilities and foster community empowerment to prevent a repetition of such tragedies.

Original Source: dialogue.earth