Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke supports peace initiatives in Kenya

An extraordinary grant to Peace Net shall be spent on peace initiatives which are underway in the conflict zones.

Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke responds immediately to the violence and unrest which is estimated to have cost 300 lives and forced more than 70.000 on the run in Kenya. Peace Net, which is an umbrella organisation that works for peace in the country, has just received a grant of 100,000.00 Kenyan shillings (DKK 8000) to examine how peace initiatives can be started in some of the worst hit areas. The grant is the first rapid grant and in the next few days, Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke will give more support to Peace Net.

"Peace Net has people around the country who lack the means to get in contact with the local leaders in order to start the peace initiatives. With this extra funding, we can supply them with the most essential for now", says Anne Hoff, Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke’s country director.

Peace Net has people in 75 out of the 210 Kenyan voting districts, which have traditionally caused the most unrest. It is these people, amongst others who will now be given a mobile phone, phone card and money to get around.

"We know that there are people out there, among others, the town leaders and religious leaders who would like to start the peace initiatives. The present task is therefore to get an idea of the situation and the possibilities that exist", says Anne Hoff.

In the initial stages, the efforts will be targeted to four of the worst hit areas: Kisumu, which is the capital of the province of Nyanza, and where up to 100 people are estimated killed, the slums of Kibera in Nairobi, which has resembled a war zone for the last few days, and Eldoret, where approximately 50 people burned in a church new year’s day.

For more information:
Contact Anne Hoff, Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke’s Country Director: 00254 72 42 55 480

Vibeke Vinther, Director of Communication: 3167 0460