Recovering from the 2024 Floods: Life in Nairobi’s Mathare Settlement

The 2024 floods devastated Nairobi’s Mathare settlement, displacing over 7,000 people and resulting in significant loss of life and property. Women and children were particularly affected, facing increased vulnerability post-disaster. The government and various organizations are working to provide assistance and explore sustainable recovery solutions as residents seek to rebuild.

In the last rainy season of 2024, Nairobi’s informal settlement Mathare suffered heavily from extensive flooding along the Mathare River. The catastrophic rains resulted in numerous fatalities and displacements, with humanitarian organization Save the Children reporting over 7,000 people displaced. Residents continue to grapple with the vast destruction as they seek to rebuild their lives while facing ongoing challenges.

Doreen Achieng, a local mother of four, reflects on her harrowing escape during the floods, describing a night when the water rose to three meters, engulfing her home. As she lost her belongings and business viability due to the flood’s impact, many in her community faced similar hardships, with 294 flood-related deaths recorded nationally.

The 2024 floods displaced an estimated 55,000 households in Kenya and severely impacted informal settlements such as Mathare, Kibera, and Mukuru. These areas, due to poor drainage and dense housing, are more susceptible to flooding, exacerbated by climate change and phenomena like El Niño.

Edward Okoth recalls the difficulties faced in temporary shelters during the floods, where food scarcity led to distress among displaced individuals. The floods highlight the vulnerability of marginalized communities in Kenya, with many residing in high-risk areas and looking to the government for solutions.

Sharon Dimanche from the International Organization for Migration stresses that climate change significantly contributes to increasing displacement, with millions affected in the Horn of Africa – a number rising from 18.4 million to over 20 million within a few months of 2024.

Women and children have borne the brunt of the flood’s effects, especially breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, and infants. Having previously faced vulnerabilities, the emergency exacerbated their plight, with reports indicating that 31% of surveyed children faced neglect post-floods.

Save the Children has been proactive, providing mental health support and supplies to affected children. Many children have faced overwhelming experiences and struggled to return to schooling, leading to a rise in child labor as families sought means to survive.

Adding to the tragedy, the government’s forced evictions from flood-prone areas have further complicated the community’s recovery efforts. Many individuals, including Okoth, have found themselves homeless due to demolitions, restricting their ability to rebuild and maintain their livelihoods.

In a positive turn, survivors have begun to cultivate vegetable gardens on the riverbanks, transforming previously destroyed spaces into sources of food and income. Additionally, the government’s ClimateWorX initiative is providing support while expanding job opportunities for the youth within the community.

Displaced residents emphasize the need for sustainable solutions, including better infrastructure and flood defenses, to withstand future adversities. Easter Okech from the Kenya Female Advisory Organization underscores the importance of governmental preparedness and community involvement in urban development planning.

The devastating floods of 2024 in Nairobi’s Mathare settlement have highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by informal communities to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. With extensive loss of life, property, and livelihoods, residents continue to seek assistance and sustainable solutions. Efforts, such as the government’s ClimateWorX initiative and support from organizations like Save the Children, are essential for rebuilding these communities and ensuring better preparedness for future disasters.

Original Source: dialogue.earth