Flood and Landslide Response in West Pokot: Safe Space for Women and Girls

As of November 26, 2019, at least 52 lives were lost following major landslides that struck Tapach, Weiwei, and Batei Wards in West Pokot County. The disaster, which occurred on November 24, left behind a trail of destruction, displacing hundreds of families, destroying homes, and rendering entire villages uninhabitable. In the aftermath of this tragedy, urgent humanitarian response efforts were deployed to support affected communities in rebuilding their lives and restoring a sense of normalcy.
West Pokot has been experiencing recurrent landslides and flash floods, exacerbated by climate change and environmental degradation. These disasters not only destroy infrastructure and livelihoods but also disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls. In response, our organization, with the generous support of our donors, has been at the forefront of offering relief and long-term recovery support to the affected families.
One of the key interventions has been the establishment of a Safe Space for Women and Girls, recognizing the increased risks they face in the wake of disasters. Displacement often leads to heightened vulnerabilities, including gender-based violence, lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, and disruptions in education for girls. Our safe space initiative provides a secure environment where women and girls can access psychosocial support, health services, and skills training to rebuild their confidence and resilience.
Additionally, we have facilitated the provision of emergency relief items, including food, clean water, and shelter materials, to ensure the immediate needs of affected families are met. Beyond immediate relief, we are actively engaged in long-term recovery efforts, supporting families in rebuilding their homes and restoring their livelihoods. Agricultural inputs, vocational training, and economic empowerment programs have been introduced to help the community regain self-sufficiency and reduce dependency on aid.
The resilience of the people of West Pokot is inspiring, and with continued support from donors, government agencies, and humanitarian organizations, we remain committed to ensuring that affected families not only recover but also become more resilient to future disasters. The journey to full recovery is long, but with collective effort, we can help restore hope and dignity to those affected by this calamity.