Flood-Displaced Families Face Uncertainty as School Shelter Comes to an End
Ombaka Primary School in Ahero, Kisumu County has become a temporary shelter for about 200 families who were forced to flee their homes after River Nyando flooded its banks due to heavy rains in various parts of the country.
The families have been staying in six classrooms of the school for the past two weeks, but now they will have to find alternative accommodation as they are being asked to leave.
Molly Odhiambo, a resident of Ombaka, expressed her concern about her two children, who are in grades three and seven respectively, and their education. She is unsure where they will go as they need to attend school starting today.
“I don’t even know what we’ll do, especially with the children. I have a child in Grade 3 and another in Grade 7 who are starting school tomorrow. I don’t know where to go with them, and even if they go to school, I’m not sure what to do,” says Molly Odhiambo, a resident of Ombaka.
Meanwhile, Leonard Ogolla, another resident, urged the government to provide more support for the families, particularly the elderly and children, who are struggling to cope with the situation.
In a similar development, about 100 families sought refuge at Uhembo Primary School in Siaya County after floods caused havoc in Alego Usonga.
However, their plan to relocate to a church before schools reopened was disrupted, leaving them uncertain about where to go.
Joakim Okombo, the chairman of the disaster committee in Usonga, lamented the lack of support from the church, which had initially agreed to provide shelter for the families.
He also expressed concern about the fate of the children, who are particularly vulnerable in this situation.
“We spoke yesterday with the Chief and Assistant Chief and we agreed to take those people to the ACK church, but now, around six o’clock, the CAK priest returned to us and said that those people should not go there. As of now, we do not know where those people, even with children, will go,” says Joakim Okombo, the chairman of the disaster committee in Usonga.
The floods caused by heavy rains have displaced many families in various parts of the country, leaving them homeless and in need of assistance. The situation is particularly dire for those with children who need to attend school, as their education is at risk.
The government and other stakeholders must act swiftly to provide support for these families to help them recover from the effects of the floods.
Flood-Displaced Families Face Uncertainty as School Shelter Comes to an End