World Vision and IOM partner to aid vulnerable internally displaced persons and disaster-affected populations in Kenya

World Vision Kenya and IOM Kenya sign an MOU at World Vision Kenya offices

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and World Vision Kenya sign an MOU to reinforce their partnership, designed to aid vulnerable Internally Displaced Persons in Kenya. ©World Vision Photo/Ivy Muigai

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

By Ivy Muigai, Communications Specialist, World Vision Kenya

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and World Vision in Kenya, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will ensure both organisations collaborate in strengthening emergency response mechanisms for the most vulnerable communities, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.

In a bid to cement their cooperation on areas of mutual interest, the two parties will enhance their collaboration in addressing the needs of vulnerable communities affected by natural and human-induced disasters, based on international and national humanitarian principles.

Emrah Güler, IOM Kenya Deputy Chief of Mission noted that this timely collaboration serves to increase collaborative work in the country to alleviate the suffering of IDPs and vulnerable disaster-affected populations.

IOM Kenya Deputy Chief of Mission Emrah Güler speaks at the MOU signing.JPG — The IOM Kenya Deputy Chief of Mission Emrah Güler celebrated the partnership that will make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable Internally Displaced Persons in Kenya. ©World Vision Photo/Ivy Muigai.

"We are excited to work with World Vision to support the creation of improved conditions for return, reconciliation and stabilisation of communities affected by any type of internal or communal conflict and violence related to human-induced disasters through programmes designed together, given the expertise, resources and experience provided by both organisations,” Emrah Güler said.

He added that World Vision Kenya’s extensive coverage in 37 counties will significantly contribute to the success of the partnership.

WVK Acting National Director with the IOM Deputy Chief of Mission at the World Vision Kenya office.JPG — World Vision Kenya Acting National Director James Ang'awa and the IOM Kenya Deputy Chief of Mission Emrah Güler emphasised the need to ensure the collaboration achieves its objective to empower vulnerable communities. ©World Vision Photo/Ivy Muigai.

The MOU also seeks to ease the suffering of IDPs given the impact of climate change that has affected the food security of over 3.5 million Kenyans by providing the necessary life-saving and protection assistance including non-food items as well as emergency and transitional shelter kits. It will also offer recovery and reintegration livelihood assistance in evacuation camps.

During the MOU signing ceremony at the World Vision Kenya offices in Nairobi, James Ang’awa, Ag. National Director for World Vision Kenya highlighted the critical role of partnerships in reaching the most vulnerable and affected displaced population, as well as petitioning government and local partners to enhance protection for vulnerable children and communities.

“This collaboration will support the strategic development of relevant programmes and activities to enhance ease of access to protection-related services for communities and children affected by disasters, as well as seek to reduce gender and vulnerability-sensitive disaster risks, among other objectives,” he said.

World Vision Kenya Acting National Director and the IOM Deputy Chief of Mission pose with the signed MOUs at the World Vision Kenya Office — World Vision Kenya Acting National Director James Ang'awa and the IOM Kenya Deputy Chief of Mission Emrah Güler pose with the signed MOUs at the World Vision Kenya Office in Nairobi. ©World Vision Photo/Ivy Muigai.

He highlighted the growing concern of young people giving birth in the IDP community which worsens the situation and inhibits ease of access to services, especially for children affected by disasters.

The refugee and asylum-seeker population in Kenya stood at over half a million as of 30th of April 2022, which comprises of 89 percent refugees and 11 percent asylum-seekers.

The collaboration will also leverage data to create an information management system for IDPs and vulnerable communities in support of the government’s efforts to improve multi-sectoral analysis of disaster-affected population’s movement, including IDPs’ urgent sectoral needs, gaps, protection issues and reintegration needs.

Group photo of the IOM Kenya team and World Vision Senior Leadership team at World Vision Kenya.JPG — The World Vision Kenya and IOM Kenya leadership team are determined to ensure that the collaboration empowers the most vulnerable children and communities in the country. ©World Vision Kenya/Ivy Muigai.

Having worked together in Kenya for over four years, the collaboration between IOM and World Vision Kenya is expected to greatly contribute to migration management and effectively identify and respond to the needs of the most vulnerable children and communities.