Food distribution despite gunshots in Nakuru

This morning we were wakened by gunshots near our home in Nakuru. Military people went into town. One news followed the next, we got telephone calls and it seemed that the Muliki militia got ready for riots and cars were burnt. The streets were closed and all cars who wanted to enter the town, were stopped. Mama Matata stayed calm because she experienced similar situations before, but I was quite shocked and frightened. Now we had to decide what to do because we had to go to the hospital to feed thousands of people. We were lucky that we were driving in the other direction and could reach the hospital without trouble, although police and military were present all over. Arriving there we heard that our doctor and one of the nurses still were blocked in town. Mama Matata advised them to stay there until the situation would become better.

The refugees were already waiting in masses. First we registred them, then we started with the food distribution, directed by Mama Matata herself. We also had a visit to the hospital: Mr. Harald Nordby from Sweden (see picture below), who is responsable for the UNICEF logistics in Nakuru. He could witness all our activities in and around our facilities. He was amazed to see Mama Matata and our hospital crew and told us that he is planning to invite people from other humanitarian organisations to watch and learn how to handle the masses of refugees. Finally we gave out food for 3,200 refugees and also activitated the works at our central fire places at the camp site (see picture right). We got the help of two additional workers for the coming 2-3 days to finish everything as soon as possible. Later in the after- noon a heavy thuderstorm urged us to quickly return home. -Stephan Holderegger