IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 9, 2008
CRWRC-US Media Contact, Beth DeGraff, 616-648-7821 or 1-80055-CRWRC
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. : The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (www.crwrc.org) has launched a long-term relief effort to assist the thousands of people displaced by the election-related violence that has wracked the East African country of Kenya in recent days.
Andrew Ryskamp, CRWRC U.S. executive director, says the agency is providing $25,000 worth of grain to help feed people in Eldoret, a community that has been particularly hard hit.
Meanwhile, CRWRC staff in the capitol city of Nairobi are working to address the needs of people most affected by the violence.
Although Nairobi has been the scene of killing and arson, some of the worst violence that has taken nearly 500 lives has occurred in the western part of Kenya, which includes Eldoret. In addition, 200,000 people are already displaced within the country and in need of emergency aid.
"There are now, and there are going to be, many needs," said Ryskamp, who has been in contact with CRWRC staff in Kenya throughout the recent unrest. "There are the immediate needs -- for food, blankets and other survival items -- and then there will be long-term resettlement and reconstruction needs."
Violence erupted again on Tuesday when President Mwai Kibaki announced a new cabinet that did not include opposition leader Raila Odinga or any of his supporters.
Because CRWRC has worked for many years in Kenya, it is in a position to play a role in providing long-term relief that Ryskamp says could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars before affected communities can return to building their capacity and developing local resources.
"We have set up a relief fund for Kenya. We are asking people to give financially if they are able," said Ryskamp.
CRWRC has five full-time staff members in Kenya. The country is also a hub for CRWRC's HIV/AIDS coordinator for the East/South African region. Partners Worldwide, a CRC business-development ministry, also has a staff person in Kenya. All personnel are reported to be safe.
Two Christian Reformed World Missions (www.crwm.org) employees who traveled to Kenya late last week to work in a seminary library, are also safe and will be leaving the country soon, says Ron Geerlings, Africa director for CRWM.
Clashes and protests began in early January following the announcement that President Kibaki was the declared winner of the closest presidential election in the country's history. Odinga, his opponent, refused to concede defeat and charged Kibaki's party with election fraud.
Chris Shiundu, national relief manager for CRWRC in Kenya will meet with a relief consortium consisting of Dorcas Aid, Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries in Nairobi this Friday to explore additional ways of working together. CRWRC worked with this same consortium two years ago to provide emergency aid to drought victims in North and East Kenya.
This week the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) released a statement offering historical context to current conflict, noting that much of the turmoil is related to tensions between ethnic groups. Violence also broke out during elections in 1992, 1997, and 2002. The NCCK especially condemned the burning of a church in Eldoret in which a number of people were killed. At least two others churches in the western region of the country have also been burned.
"The country is in paralysis," says the NCCK. "An orgy of violence has been seen in many parts of the country..Scores of women, girls and boys have been sexually assaulted. Property worth billions (of dollars) has been destroyed and hundreds of businesses crippled in looting and burning sprees by demonstrating mobs."
Christians account for about 77 percent of Kenya's 37 million people, while about 10 percent of the population are Muslims
To donate to CRWRC's Kenya relief response, mark financial gifts "Kenya Conflict" and mail to CRWRC, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI, 49560. Donate online at www.crwrc.org.
Members of the press in the U.S. can call Beth DeGraff, CRWRC Media Contact, at 616-648-7821 to arrange an interview with CRWRC US executive director, Andrew Ryskamp.
CRC Communications US manager Chris Meehan can be reached by calling 616-241-1691.
For more information about CRWRC programs in Kenya or around the world, call 1-800-55-CRWRC or visit www.cwrc.org.
CRWRC is a non-profit agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America providing a ministry of development, relief, and justice education to people in need around the world. CRWRC is currently active in 30 countries and has an international reputation for "helping people help themselves."
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Beth DeGraff US Media and Justice Contact 2850 Kalamazoo SE Grand Rapids, MI 49560 degraffb@crcna.org ph: 616-241-1691 x4191 fax: 616-724-0806
"Then Jesus took a towel and a basin and redefined greatness." Richard Foster