Humanitarian Response and Resilience Building in Flooding Situations: Case of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, Kilifi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study revolves around the Humanitarian response to flooding and resilience building by the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent (IFRC) in Kilifi County. Kenya. This study specifically assesses the factors influencing the vulnerability of the community along the Sabaki River to flooding; examines the interventions of the International Red Cross and Crescent Movement in building resilience among the communities living along River Sabaki and analyze the effects of the interventions of the International Red Cross and Crescent Movement in building resilience among communities living along River Sabaki in Kilifi County. The study was informed by the Liberal–Institutionalism theory of International Relations. Methodologically, the study used the Descriptive cross-sectional survey design and utilized the mixed method approach which utilizes both quantitative and qualitative to collect data additionally, quantitative data were obtained through the use of questionnaires while qualitative data was collected through the use of Focus Group Discussions and oral interviews especially for key informants. Descriptive statistic was used to analyze quantitative data and done through the use of SPSS program while qualitative data were used for triangulation purposes. Findings show that there exists several factors influencing the vulnerability of the community to flooding which include: poverty , weak drainage system , poor typology of houses, low levels of access to information ,lack of support to install warning posts, building of floodwalls and more resilient dykes by the IFRC and government. The IFRC interventions in resilience building in the community was achieved through distribution of emergency reliefs, localization of flood watch volunteers, the establishment of the emergency contact list, development of contingency plans and through distribution of life saving items to victims of flood in Kilifi County though at varying degrees. The study also found out that the IFRC interventions have not had major socio economic impact on the communities living along the Sabaki River basin especially those that have been affected by flood. The study recommends that policy and legislative frameworks on land use planning, contingency plans, county spatial plans and public participation especially along the riverine flood zone be undertaken. On vulnerability, recommendations to IFRC to focuses on helping the community to strengthen the structural and nonstructural factors like contingency plands development, preparedness and awareness, localization of flood watch volunteers which are weak. Moreover, IFRC should refocus on other programmes of disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery as opposed to just disaster response.