Situation
The situation in Tana-Delta remains calm with rains having begun on 2nd November 2012, forecast by KMD indicated that the rains would begin in the 4th week of October. The intensity is yet to be ascertained. Should the forecast be as stated, then then rains may affect the situation of the area especially the internally displaced persons who are still staying in camps in various parts of the district.
The displaced persons are yet to go back as there is still lack of confidence on security from the affected people. The village leaders of Nduru are also yet to permits to harvest trees for shelter construction and this is causing a slow progress in building of emergency shelters.
KRCS personnel attended a European Union fact finding meeting at Dide Waride and Tarasaa on 30th October 2012. Participating in the mission were Ambassadors and High Commissioners from Belgium, Denmark, the EU, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. Their main objective was to listen and learn more about social and economic development and security at the Coast. The EU ambassador, His Excellency Ambassador Lodwejik Briet promised to assist the communities affected by the conflict through other organizations liken the Kenya Red Cross Society. He promised to get in touch with the Kenya Red Cross once in Nairobi in regard to the same. Leaders who spoke during the meetings appreciated the work done by the KRCS.
Nduru primary school still remains closed and so are other neighbouring schools that are within areas that were directly affected. KRCS staff attended a meeting held on 31st October 2012 between teachers and parents of Nduru and Furaha. The agenda of the meeting was to discuss where the candidates who are living in IDP camps in Tana-Delta will do their exams. Present at the meeting were parent representatives, teachers, head teacher and a Knut representative. Through majority votes, it was agreed that the pupils would do their exams in Furaha Primary School which is in Odha. The exams are to begin in December 4th, 2012. A request was passed to KRCS to assist in transporting the candidates who are in Malindi, Marereni Hola and Garsen to the school. KRCS was also requested to provide rice and beans for the four days that the candidates will be staying for the exams. The total number of people expected to be present is 40 including the teachers who will be with the candidates. It was however noted that the parents and teachers had not exhausted avenues for support to schools and that a decision would be made on areas requiring support.
A team from the Regional Tracing Department joined the operation in Tana-Delta on 29th October 2012. Four volunteers from Garsen Branch were trained on 29th October 2012 on tracing skills as preparedness/ branch capacity building.
KRCS personnel conducted an assessment at Manono village that is a few kilometres from Nduru village to ascertain the needs of children attending school in the neighboring village and challenges in food access since return. The personnel found that a few households who had fled from the village (34hh) had returned. The team witnessed children living in the village crossing a river as they left school -Onwardei Primary School is situated across the river and is said to be the only available school as the others are temporarily closed for lack of teachers.