Conflict Affected

 CARE believes that the highly vulnerable embedded in conflict affected populations may present those with the greatest unmet needs.  The estimated over one million highly vulnerable embedded in conflict affected populations present a different picture than those in camps.  For those in informal urban settlements, they have lost access to economic opportunities at a time when scarcity has inflated prices for essential food and material goods of often up to 300%.  As such, they have become increasingly impoverished and unable to meet their daily needs.  There is a high need for supplemental food (rather than a full basket as with the displaced in camps), fuel for cooking and NFIs due to their homes being looted and often then burnt.  In the rural areas, they are also in high need for food as well as seed for planting, again due to severely disrupted markets and inflated prices.  People displaced from other areas who are returning to their rural ancestral home regions would also require NFIs.

CARE has found that the best local resources for identifying and reaching out to these people are local civil society organisations, especially faith based organisations.  Without good targeting and safe distribution systems, the young and strong will garner the relief at the expense of the most vulnerable.

As security remains a challenge which complicates the distribution of especially food, CARE is advocating for use of food vouchers as a flexible and efficient way of providing the right type food, particularly for the most vulnerable in the urban informal settlements.

Projected Medium-Term Needs and Local Resources

In addition to continuing providing food and NFIs, there is need to consider supporting livelihood and stabilization interventions.  In rural areas, this may include distribution of seeds and basic farming kits and provision of temporary shelter (for returnees displaced from other regions).  Most of those affected in urban areas (informal settlements) were mainly small scale entrepreneurs and, in order to help them re-engage in income generating activities (IGAs), interventions will be required such as giving small seed capital either in cash or in-kind.  Provision of seeds for urban horticulture is also an option.  Conflict resolution and peace building are considered cross cutting themes in all interventions that CARE Kenya will engage in.