NAIROBI, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Red Cross Society said on Monday it had scaled up emergency support for communities affected by flooding and landslides in the wake of heavy rainfall pounding many parts of the country.
"We are worried about families that have been cut off from lifesaving support. They are without food, water and may require medical care, "said Asha Mohammed, secretary general designate at Kenya Red Cross Society.
Kenya's semi-arid counties have borne the brunt of flooding and landslides occasioned by unusually heavy rainfall since late October.
Nomadic communities living in arid counties located in northern Kenya require emergency support to cope with displacements and disease outbreaks triggered by massive flooding.
Mohamed said relief agencies have partnered with national and county governments to deliver essential supplies like food, clean water and medicine in counties affected by flooding.
"Our teams are doing everything they can to reach these areas, including using boats and treading deep waters to evacuate families in high-risk areas, conducting search and rescue efforts and providing basic health services," said Mohamed.
She said that evacuation teams that have been dispatched to counties affected by flooding and landslides are helping families relocate to safer areas until heavy rains subside.
Kenya and other eastern African countries have since late October grappled with torrential rains.
According to Kenya's Meteorological Department, the above-normal rains are expected to subside in December.
Mohamed warned that flooding that might intensify in the coming days, will lead to loss of crops, livestock and property among communities in Kenya's semi-arid counties. The floods could also trigger an outbreak of diseases like malaria and cholera.
"We are concerned that other parts of the country will continue to experience destructive floods this week. Many people who have lost their crops and livestock will struggle to feed their families," said Mohamed.
