Response to Displacement - 3 | 8. Temporary Shelter Construction in Kenya | Disaster Preparedness & Planning - Vol 4
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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Impact of Political Violence

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Let's start by discussing the political violence in Kenya between 2007 and 2008. Why do you think this period was particularly devastating for communities?

Student 1
Student 1

It was a time of major conflict. People were fighting based on their ethnic backgrounds.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Political clashes led to the destruction of properties and caused severe displacement. This violence accounts for over 80% of disasters reported in Kenya. Can anyone tell me what kind of places people sought refuge in during this time?

Student 2
Student 2

Many people moved to police stations and churches for safety.

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! These places provided essential protection and became locations for temporary camps. This shows how communities adapt in crisis situations.

Student 3
Student 3

Was there a structure in place to help these displaced people?

Teacher
Teacher

Good question! The government had the Ministry of State for Special Programs aimed at managing such crises, although it faced several challenges.

Teacher
Teacher

To summarize, political violence significantly impacted displacement, leading to community resilience through temporary shelters.

Government Response

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, let's discuss the government’s response to this displacement crisis. How did they attempt to manage the situation?

Student 4
Student 4

They set up camps for people who were displaced, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, they established camps and offered compensation packages, like 10,000 Kenyan shillings per household. What challenges do you think arose from this compensation scheme?

Student 1
Student 1

I think there were issues with accountability and how the aid was distributed.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly. The reports showed a lack of consistency in delivering aid and managing camps. This led to initiatives like 'Operation Rudi Nyumbani.' Can anyone explain what this operation aimed to achieve?

Student 3
Student 3

It was supposed to help people return to their homes.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! It aimed to facilitate the transition from temporary support to permanent settlement. Let's remember the importance of community engagement in making these responses effective.

Transitional Shelters

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, let's discuss transitional shelters. What do you understand by transitional shelter?

Student 2
Student 2

Is it a temporary structure that helps people before they get into a permanent home?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! Transitional shelter is more than just a structure. It represents a process that respects the dignity of individuals and supports their transition back to normal life. How do you think this impacts a community's recovery?

Student 4
Student 4

It gives them a place to stay while rebuilding their lives.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! It also empowers communities to regain their autonomy, as seen when groups pooled resources to purchase land for permanent settlement. This shows active participation, which is key in disaster recovery.

Student 1
Student 1

I see now how important support and involvement are.

Teacher
Teacher

Very well! So, transitional shelters serve as both immediate relief and a catalyst for long-term recovery.

Community Resilience and Self-Help Groups

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Teacher
Teacher

Finally, let’s discuss how communities became resilient post-displacement. What strategies did displaced individuals employ?

Student 3
Student 3

They formed self-help groups to buy land together.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! These groups pooled their financial resources, demonstrating solidarity and mutual support. Why is this significant?

Student 2
Student 2

It helps them regain stability and ensures they have a safe place to live.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! By organizing into groups, they worked toward sustainable solutions. Let’s conclude our discussion: community involvement and resilience are critical in overcoming the challenges of displacement.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section explores the impact of political violence on shelter provision in Kenya, particularly focusing on temporary shelter approaches and community resilience.

Standard

The section discusses the political violence in Kenya that led to significant displacement between 2007 and 2008. It outlines the responses focused on temporary shelters and community integration as part of the recovery efforts. Key organizations, government policies, and the challenges faced in these initiatives are examined.

Detailed

Detailed Summary of Response to Displacement

The section analyzes the complex landscape of temporary shelter reconstruction in Kenya following significant political violence in 2007 and 2008, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and displacement of 500,000 individuals.

It highlights three patterns of violence targeting various social groups and how these dynamics necessitated urgent humanitarian responses. Communities initially coped with the crisis by seeking refuge with host families or establishing temporary camps in police stations and churches, indicating a collective response to displacement.

The government of Kenya, through the Ministry of State for Special Programs (MoSSP), undertook a structured approach to managing internally displaced persons (IDP) including compensations and assistance for resettlement. However, these efforts faced challenges regarding accountability and consistency, which led to the establishment of the 'Operation Rudi Nyumbani' initiative to facilitate return and integration into communities.

Key insights are drawn on how internally displaced individuals organized into self-help groups to purchase land for permanent settlement, moving beyond mere temporary shelters to achieve autonomy and sustainability. The significance of transitional shelter is emphasized, which serves as a catalyst for restoring dignity and paving the way for durable solutions. Thus, the section underscores the critical role of community participation in recovery efforts while presenting an effective framework for disaster management amidst socio-political unrest.

Audio Book

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Impact of Political Violence

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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

This chunk discusses the tragic consequences of political violence in Kenya from the end of 2007 to early 2008. When President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the elections, it sparked severe clashes among different ethnic groups. This resulted in the death of over 1200 people and the displacement of approximately 500,000 individuals. Such events illustrate how political tensions can have devastating impacts on communities, leading to both loss of life and homelessness.

Examples & Analogies

Think of political disputes like a group of friends arguing over a game; if one friend feels cheated and lashes out, it doesn’t just affect them—everyone in the group may get hurt, and some may even choose to leave the group entirely. Similarly, when political disagreements escalate violently, it affects countless innocent lives.

Patterns of Violence and Displacement

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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. The second was an onslaught by opposition supporters on small farmers and landholders in the rift Valley, perceived to be government supporters. The third one is of the pattern of violence was retaliatory and targeted mainly at the migrant workers.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk outlines three distinct patterns of violence that emerged during the political unrest in Kenya. The first involved mobs burning and looting properties, which created widespread fear and chaos. The second pattern targeted small farmers and landholders who were suspected of supporting the government, forcing them to abandon their homes. The third pattern involved violence against migrant workers, which illustrates how different groups within society can become victims of political strife, often becoming scapegoats in these conflicts.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a sports game where a team feels cheated by the referee, leading to their fans attacking not just the referees but also the fans of the opposing team and even local businesses. This is similar to how political unrest can lead individuals to target various groups within their community, often spreading chaos beyond the original issue.

Responses to Displacement

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In the Rift Valley which is the majorly affected area, displacement affected 5 of Kenya’s 8 provinces. Many sought to move to their ancestral homes in Nyanza, Western and Central Provinces. They went back to their parental homes or their ancestral homes, so in that way, they could able to be secured themselves for some time.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk emphasizes the immediate responses of displaced individuals, particularly in the Rift Valley province, which was heavily impacted by violence. Many people chose to return to their ancestral homes for safety, illustrating how familial and cultural ties provide a sense of protection during crises. Displacement affected several provinces, highlighting the widespread nature of the conflict.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine during a storm, people seek refuge in their childhood homes because they recall it as a safe place. Similarly, in times of violence, returning to familiar family homes offers comfort and security amidst chaos, reflecting the deep connections people have with their roots.

Government and Humanitarian Response

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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

This chunk introduces government involvement in responding to displacement, specifically through the Ministry of State for Special Programs (MoSSP). This ministry plays a crucial role in leading disaster management and establishing risk reduction strategies for displaced individuals. It indicates the structured approach taken by the government to manage the displacement crisis effectively.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a school principal leading an emergency drill during a fire alarm. Just as the principal must organize a safe and effective response plan for students, governments must create strategies to help those who are displaced due to crises, showing their responsibility for public safety and order.

Compensation and Recovery Efforts

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Initially, there is a compensation package issued by the government about in a Kenyan of 10,000 which is about 100 Euros per IDP household and an additional 25,000 for each household with a destroyed house. But then this was not very successful, different and analysis report.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk discusses the government's initial attempts to provide financial support for internally displaced persons (IDPs). While the compensation package aimed to help households recover, it faced criticism for not being effective or consistent in its distribution. This highlights the challenges government programs can encounter when trying to assist victims of violence.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a friend promising to lend you money to cover your bills after you unexpectedly lose your job but only giving you part of what you need and inconsistently each month. Just like that situation can create frustration and uncertainty, the aid provided to IDPs also fell short of fully addressing their needs.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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

Key Concepts

  • Political Violence: Conflict driven by ethnic or political divisions leading to serious humanitarian crises.

  • Temporary Shelter: A short-term solution providing basic shelter and security for displaced individuals.

  • Community Participation: The active involvement of community members in recovery processes enables collaboration and support.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • In the wake of the 2007-2008 violence, many Kenyans sought refuge with extended family or in public spaces like churches and schools.

  • The government initiated a compensation package for displaced families, which included cash handouts to support recovery.

Memory Aids

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

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In a time of unrest, people take flight, to save their lives, they seek the light.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a village torn apart by conflict. Families gather in a church, finding safety in numbers, then work together to rebuild their homes, proving that community can conquer adversity.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • REMEMBER: R for Return, E for Empowerment, M for Management, and B for Building Back. This can help remember the process of recovery.

🎯 Super Acronyms

CAMP

  • Community
  • Aid
  • Management
  • and Participation represent the four key aspects of managing displacement.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: IDP (Internally Displaced Person)

    Definition:

    Individuals who have been forced to flee their homes but remain within their country's borders.

  • Term: Transitional Shelter

    Definition:

    A temporary living space that provides basic services and supports individuals during the transition from disaster or conflict to permanent housing.

  • Term: Operation Rudi Nyumbani

    Definition:

    An initiative aimed at facilitating the return of displaced individuals to their original homes and communities.

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

    Definition:

    A government body in Kenya responsible for overseeing disaster management and support programs for displaced persons.

  • Term: Community Resilience

    Definition:

    The ability of communities to adapt and recover from crises, often through collective efforts and resource sharing.