IsraAID Kenya completes NuWASH program

18 July, 2024

IsraAID, Israel’s leading humanitarian aid group, completed in June an integrated nutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene program supporting refugees and local host communities in Kakuma, Kenya. The eight-month-long program directly improved access to safe water and nutrition services for over 15,000 people living in the Kakuma refugee camp and the local communities in Turkana West Sub-County. In partnership with UNHCR, the Ministry of Health Turkana County, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) the program focused on improving water and sanitation infrastructure, raising awareness on nutrition, and preventing malaria, as refugee communities recover from the worst drought in over 40 years.

The program’s first component targeted water and sanitation infrastructure. IsraAID repaired and rehabilitated 10 tap stands in water-stressed areas of Kakuma refugee camp, improving access to safe water for drinking, bathing, and cooking. To increase access to sanitation facilities, the organization installed eight ventilated and improved pit latrines, as well as 8-door dignified and gender-sensitive bathroom units and handwashing stations at four health facilities and at the Kakuma reception center where refugees first arrive seeking refuge in the camp. IsraAID conducted hygiene and sanitation awareness sessions for the community, ensuring proper use of resources and community ownership.

Alongside water initiatives, the NuWASh program aimed to improve nutrition in the community. IsraAID community health promoters made over 2,400 home visits to identify early cases of malnutrition and raise awareness on sanitation and hygiene practices.

Proper breastfeeding practices are one of the best ways to prevent malnutrition and ensure that infants build early immunity to disease. IsraAID’s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative created unique breastfeeding corners in five health facilities – four serving the refugee community and one serving the host community – strategically located near departments frequented by new mothers. These spaces are equipped with handwashing stations and educational materials. They provide a comfortable and private environment, particularly for underaged mothers who often feel uncomfortable breastfeeding in public. Healthcare providers and lactation specialists are on-site to offer support, techniques, and important information for new mothers.

IsraAID’s mother-to-mother support groups help carry nutrition information and resources further into the community. Operating in three regions of Kakuma refugee camp i.e. Kakuma I, II & III, groups meet twice a month and equip participants with the knowledge and materials they need to support improved nutrition in their areas. Participants engaged in capacity-building sessions and discussed their challenges and successes. They received MUAC tapes – which are used to screen children for malnutrition to strengthen early identification of malnutrition cases and also able to refer identified malnutrition cases to the nearby health facility for further support. Participants became “champions” in their community, spreading awareness and supporting others.

Finally, IsraAID’s NuWASH program included malaria control and prevention elements. Given recent rains and flooding, the refugee camp has become an endemic area for malaria. IsraAID combatted malaria by carrying out internal residual spray (IRS). Kalobeyei reception center and Kakuma reception center households were sprayed along the internal wall surfaces with pesticides that will continue to repel mosquitos for 6-8 months after spraying, helping more than 7000 refugees to stay safe and strengthen malaria prevention approaches at the community level.

IsraAID began responding to the refugee crisis in Kenya in 2013, serving both the refugee and host communities in Turkana West County. Kakuma Refugee Camp and the nearby Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement are home to more than 270,000 refugees from over 10 countries, including South Sudan, Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, and more. Alongside IsraAID’s work in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Kenya, the organization works in Mental Health and Protection, Child Protection, Health, Nutrition, and prevention of Gender-Based Violence.

IsraAID Kenya’s Acting Country Director, Jemimah Owande, said:

“IsraAID’s NuWASH program was built with the understanding that water, sanitation, nutrition, and health are all deeply interconnected. We wanted to take a holistic approach to these issues, creating a wide impact on the overall health of the refugee and host communities in Kakuma. From water infrastructure to promoting positive hygiene and sanitation practices, establishing breastfeeding facilities, and reducing malaria, we’re proud to stand by these incredible communities as they continue to recover from a difficult period of drought. IsraAID remains committed to continuing to support the resilience of both refugee and host communities in Kenya, creating a brighter future in the face of the dual challenges of accelerating climate risks and migration.”

-ENDS-

Further information is available on request, including interviews with IsraAID CEO Yotam Polizer and other individuals involved in this operation.

CONTACT:

Shachar May
Email: [email protected]

PHOTOS:

A folder of photos from IsraAID’s NuWASH program can be found here. All photos should be credited to IsraAID/Andre Akinovic

Notes:

IsraAID is a leading international humanitarian non-governmental organization, based in Israel. Since 2001, IsraAID has become synonymous with a rapid response to humanitarian crises and a long-term commitment to working with affected communities. During and after emergencies, IsraAID partners with communities to re-build their lives – and their futures – together. As of July 2024, IsraAID has responded to more than 100 emergencies, in more than 60 countries.

Related articles

5 September, 2024

Press Release

IsraAID, Israel’s leading humanitarian organization, has completed an emergency response in Kenya’s Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps following an outbreak of inter-community violence in June. Fighting between the Anyuak and Nuer communities broke out on June 20, resulting in 19...

IsraAID Kenya completes emergency response following tribal violence

18 July, 2024

Press Release

IsraAID, Israel’s leading humanitarian aid group, completed in June an integrated nutrition and water, sanitation, and hygiene program supporting refugees and local host communities in Kakuma, Kenya. The eight-month-long program directly improved access to safe water and nutrition services for...

IsraAID Kenya completes NuWASH program

28 March, 2024

Press Release

IsraAID, Israel’s leading non-governmental humanitarian aid agency, celebrated World Water Day last Friday with a ceremony in Turkana County, northwest Kenya, where a new borehole was handed over to the local community. At the “Community Centered Approach to Water and...

IsraAID hands over new boreholes to local community in Kenya