Background of Kenyan Condition - 2 | 8. Temporary Shelter Construction in Kenya | Disaster Preparedness & Planning - Vol 4
K12 Students

Academics

AI-Powered learning for Grades 8–12, aligned with major Indian and international curricula.

Professionals

Professional Courses

Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.

Games

Interactive Games

Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skills—perfect for learners of all ages.

Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Understanding Political Violence

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Today, we'll explore the concept of political violence in Kenya and its implication on shelter provision. Political violence often arises from conflicts between different ethnic groups. Can anyone give me an example of any recent political violence?

Student 1
Student 1

The election violence in 2007, when there were clashes after President Kibaki was declared the winner.

Teacher
Teacher

That's right! The aftermath of that election highlighted that approximately 75% of disasters in Kenya are not natural but manmade due to such violence. It’s essential to consider the social dynamics that lead to these situations.

Student 2
Student 2

What were some immediate consequences of that violence?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! We saw significant death tolls, displacement of over 500,000 people, and widespread destruction of property—everything from homes to commercial premises. This chaos made it crucial to address temporary shelter needs.

Student 3
Student 3

How did people cope with being displaced?

Teacher
Teacher

Many sought refuge with host families, while others moved to temporary camps in safe establishments like police stations or schools. This adaptability is a significant part of disaster recovery.

Teacher
Teacher

To summarize, political violence in Kenya dramatically affects shelter provision, leading to extensive displacement and the need for immediate and transitional shelters.

Government Response to Shelter Needs

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

We'll now shift our focus to how the Kenyan government responded to these shelter needs. The Ministry of State for Special Programs was pivotal in overseeing the IDP situation. Can anyone explain their role?

Student 4
Student 4

They were responsible for developing risk reduction measures and managing disaster situations.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! They coordinated with various agencies, including the UNHCR, to aid the resettlement process for IDPs. What factors were considered in setting up the camps?

Student 1
Student 1

The safety of the displaced people and access to basic services like water and sanitation.

Teacher
Teacher

Right again! Ensuring basic services was crucial for dignity and health. The government tried to provide temporary assistance but also aimed for longer-term solutions through programs like 'Operation Rudi Nyumbani.'

Student 2
Student 2

What does that program involve?

Teacher
Teacher

It's about facilitating the return of displaced individuals to their homes, allowing them to rebuild their lives independently, which is fundamental to recovery.

Teacher
Teacher

In summary, the government response to the shelter crisis involved structured oversight and collaboration, emphasizing temporary relief while enabling a transition back to stability.

Shelter Reconstruction Strategies

Unlock Audio Lesson

0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Now let’s talk about transitional shelters and how they fit into the recovery process for IDPs. What do you think a transitional shelter should provide for people?

Student 3
Student 3

Basic protection from the elements and a sense of privacy or dignity.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! It's a crucial step towards enabling families to establish themselves again. The intention is to provide habitable living spaces while people work towards a permanent shelter solution.

Student 4
Student 4

How did the displaced people organize for temporary shelter?

Teacher
Teacher

Many formed self-help groups to pool resources, buy communal land, and establish permanent housing. This communal effort represents a significant shift towards independence.

Student 1
Student 1

That sounds like a smart approach! How did the government support those efforts?

Teacher
Teacher

The government assisted with land subdivision and tenure issues, which is essential for the long-term settlement of the displaced populations. Summarily, transitional shelter plays a dual role—providing immediate relief while also laying the groundwork for a self-sufficient future.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section discusses the impact of manmade political violence on shelter conditions in Kenya, particularly following the election-related clashes of 2007-2008.

Standard

The section highlights the consequences of political violence in Kenya, especially the displacement of people during the election conflicts. It explains how these events led to the need for temporary shelters and the government's responses to aid internally displaced persons (IDPs). Various strategies for coping with shelter provision and reconstruction efforts are also detailed.

Detailed

The section focuses on the background of the Kenyan condition surrounding temporary shelter construction in the aftermath of political violence. It notes that most disasters in Kenya are manmade, primarily resulting from political violence rather than natural catastrophes. The 2007-2008 political clashes, triggered by the presidential election, resulted in significant loss of life and widespread displacement. Approximately 1,200 people died and around 500,000 were affected, with communities facing violence based on ethnic tensions. The section details the consequences of this violence, such as the destruction of property and the displacement of families across various provinces. It discusses how different forms of shelter were established, including camps set up in police stations and schools, and outlines the Kenyan government's efforts to manage the situation through various ministries and agencies. The section also touches on compensation efforts for displaced persons and the crucial role of transitional shelters in facilitating a long-term recovery and return process.

Audio Book

Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.

Manmade Disasters: Political Violence in Kenya

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

The background of Kenyan condition, it is not a natural disaster but it is a kind of manmade situations especially the political violence. When you look at the natural disasters phenomenon or the risk phenomenon, even from the document of at risk or the CRED reports, it says almost more than 75% to 80% of the disasters are through the political violence.

Detailed Explanation

In Kenya, the primary cause of displacement and disaster is not due to natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes, but rather due to politically motivated violence. Reports indicate that a significant majority, approximately 75% to 80%, of disasters in the country can be attributed to such violence. This concept highlights the impact that human actions, particularly in the political realm, can have on the stability and safety of communities.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a town known for its beautiful parks and strong community bonds suddenly facing turmoil due to political factions fighting for power. Like a garden that can survive storms if well tended, this town’s peace can be disrupted by decisions made within its leadership rather than by natural forces. The increasing tension leads people to flee their homes, turning a once-thriving community into a landscape of fear and displacement.

Consequences of Political Violence

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

So, today we are going to talk about the consequences of the political violence at specially in terms of shelter provision and how it has been organized and how it has been conducted as a pilot project and how it has been scaled up at a nation level and what kind of responses they have you know able to understand.

Detailed Explanation

The lecture focuses on the severe impact of political violence on the provision of shelter for those affected. It discusses how these issues have been approached methodologically, starting with pilot projects. These projects often serve as testing grounds for strategies that can then be implemented on a larger scale to address national needs. Understanding these responses helps in assessing how communities organize themselves and how governments can respond effectively.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a community garden that falls into disarray due to conflicts among its caretakers. Initially, a few members may come together to restore the garden (the pilot project), experimenting with different plants and layouts. Once they see success, they invite the entire community to participate in a larger restoration effort, scaling their methods to benefit everyone.

Impact of the 2007-2008 Elections

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

In 2007 and 2008, after the former President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the presidential elections in December 27, 2007. There has been a huge political clashes and along with various ethnic groups within the country and about 1200 people have been reported dead, almost 5 lakhs people displaced, that is as per the United Nations Office Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report.

Detailed Explanation

Following the controversial election results in December 2007, Kenya faced intense political violence. This led to the loss of approximately 1,200 lives and displaced around 500,000 individuals. These statistics illustrate the profound consequences of political decisions on public safety and societal stability, highlighting the urgent need for a response in terms of humanitarian support and crisis management.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a school where a popular candidate for student council loses the election, leading to fights among students from different groups. In the chaos, some students might leave the school entirely or hide in the library for safety, reflecting the way political tensions can create a sense of insecurity and result in profound changes in the community.

Patterns of Violence and Displacement

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

So, ideally there are 3 categories of this; one is the first was burning and looting all the shops, commercial premises and houses. So, all these mobs, they come to the city in the urban clusters and they started destroying, burning down whether it is a public property, whether it is a commercial properties.

Detailed Explanation

The violence following the elections manifested in multiple ways, categorized into three primary patterns. The first pattern includes mob violence, which resulted in widespread destruction of properties. This destruction targeted commercial establishments and residential properties, further exacerbating the situation by not only displacing individuals but also dismantling community infrastructure.

Examples & Analogies

Envision a neighborhood once bustling with small shops and vibrant community life suddenly engulfed in flames due to riots. Just as each destroyed shop erases part of the community's identity and shared history, the loss of homes affects families and creates an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, making recovery even harder.

Government and Humanitarian Response

Unlock Audio Book

Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book

So, how the government have tackled with the situation, the Government of Kenya’s ministry of state for special programs, which we call it as MoSSP, the Ministry of State for Special Programs and this particular ministry’s mission is to provide the leadership in the development of risk reduction measures and disaster management, within Kenya.

Detailed Explanation

In response to the political violence and subsequent displacement, the Government of Kenya established the Ministry of State for Special Programs (MoSSP). This ministry plays a crucial role in leading efforts aimed at developing risk reduction strategies and managing disasters effectively. The establishment of such government bodies is a vital step in organizing resources and ensuring that affected individuals receive the help they need.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a fire department that not only responds to fires but also holds community drills, educating residents on fire safety. Just as the fire department prepares and safeguards the community, the MoSSP is designed to ensure that Kenya is better equipped to handle future crises, protecting its citizens from disasters—natural or manmade.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Political Violence: Conflicts resulting from political disagreements, often with violence leading to displacement.

  • Temporary Shelters: Transitional structures that offer immediate housing solutions for displaced individuals.

  • Self-help Groups: Community-organized groups that pool resources to facilitate housing and recovery.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • The violent clashes following the 2007 presidential elections in Kenya led to the widespread destruction of homes and displacement of families.

  • Communal efforts in which displaced communities pooled their resources to buy land exemplify strategies for self-sufficiency post-disaster.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In Kenya's strife, the people roam, seeking shelter far from home.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a family forced to leave their home due to violence. They gather with others in a police station, using their strength to find safety until they can return. This communal effort is what we call resilience.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • P-Protection, S-Shelter, R-Resilience. Remember the key goals for displaced persons: Safety, Shelter, and returning to a Resilient life.

🎯 Super Acronyms

IDP - I Don't want to leave my home.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: IDP (Internally Displaced Person)

    Definition:

    Individuals who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict or disasters but remain within their country's borders.

  • Term: Transitional Shelter

    Definition:

    A temporary living space that provides basic protection, privacy, and services to displaced individuals as they transition to permanent housing.

  • Term: MoSSP (Ministry of State for Special Programs)

    Definition:

    A Kenyan government ministry focused on leading risk reduction measures and managing disaster-related programs.