OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/24/13 -- Canada is providing emergency shelter, health care, and water and sanitation to approximately 13,000 people across Kenya (http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/Eng/JUD-124142017-QPD) affected by floods and mudslides, announced the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation.

"Canada is providing immediate assistance to those affected by floods and mudslides in parts of Kenya," said Minister Fantino. "Canadian support is ensuring relief to those in greatest need."

Above-normal rainfall has resulted in flooding and mudslides in many areas of central and western Kenya. According to the Kenyan Red Cross, more than 2,100 households have been affected by the flooding, with homes, crops and livestock being destroyed, while mudslides have claimed the lives of 13 people to date. In addition, more than 750 persons have been displaced, seeking shelter in schools, churches, shopping centres and within hosting communities. The spread of water-borne disease remains a serious concern in flooded areas.

Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency, is providing support to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (http://www.ifrc.org/en/) to deliver this immediate assistance.

The Government of Canada will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that humanitarian (http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/JUD-24125515-P24) needs are met.

Backgrounder

On January 11, 2013, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched a Disaster Relief Emergency Fund operation to support the Kenyan Red Cross in the delivery of immediate assistance to some 12,936 beneficiaries over a period of three months. Through the Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund, an ongoing CIDA-funded project with the Canadian Red Cross Society, the Canadian Red Cross has allocated a $30,000-contribution to the relief operations.

International Humanitarian Assistance Program

CIDA, through its International Humanitarian Assistance Program (http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/JUD-24132427-PLC), aims to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain the dignity of those affected by conflicts and natural disasters by providing appropriate, timely, and effective responses.