Children in East Africa at risk of disease and malnutrition as floods wreak havoc, warns World Vision

NAIROBI, KENYA (May 2, 2024) – Global humanitarian organization World Vision warns of grave consequences for children and families due to heavy rains and flooding across East Africa. The region has seen loss of life, massive displacement and destroyed infrastructure due to the floods.

Over 315 people have died in Kenya and Tanzania following the heavy rains in the past week. More than 30,000 households have been affected and over 350,000 people have been displaced by floods, with dozens injured or missing. And the situation is likely to worsen, as experts are predicting more rains and potential food shortages.

“Homes are submerged, schools remain closed both out of fear of floods and due to being occupied by affected people,” said Joseph Kamara, World Vision’s regional director of humanitarian and emergency affairs. “The biggest challenge lies in waterborne diseases, with many lives at risk if not controlled. The true toll on livelihoods and learning remains uncertain.”

Of particular concern is the impact on children, including interruptions to education. Floods are displacing families and destroying schools, while elsewhere classrooms are being turned into evacuation and displacement centers for people who have lost their homes.

Children are extremely vulnerable to floods and are at risk of drowning, respiratory infections, and communicable waterborne diseases such as diarrhea or skin infections associated with unsanitary conditions.

“We currently don’t have a plan,” said Mary, a resident of Nairobi whose family was impacted by the disaster. “Most of the things we own have been swept away by the floods. My children are due to [begin] school next week, [but] they don’t have shoes, uniforms, [or] even a home to go back to.”

World Vision has been responding to rapid onset flooding in East Africa since December 2023, and now, as communities across the region are still recovering from the first wave of floods, they are faced with a second devastating round. The organization is partnering with the government and other agencies to provide timely support to those affected and urgently calls upon all responding parties in affected countries to support children’s well-being by prioritizing their protection, including establishing safe spaces for them to play, process their experience, and be cared for.

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit worldvision.org or follow on X, formerly known as Twitter, @WorldVisionUSA.