Following Kenya's national elections in December 2007, 600,000 Kenyans were forced to flee their homes. 18 months later at least 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) still remain. On a recent visit, international humanitarian charity World Emergency Relief examined their plight first-hand.

After the Kenyan national elections in 2007, violence broke out displacing at least 600,000 people. Although it is difficult to measure exact numbers, this United Nations estimate from early 2008 placed Kenya among the World's top countries for IDP populations.

On a recent visit to the country, World Emergency Relief (WER) Chief Executive, Alex Haxton, was staggered to see that large numbers of Kenyans are still displaced almost 18 months later and living in unsustainable conditions. Whilst visiting one of the projects supported by WER - the Hope Community Centre near Naivasha in central Kenya, providing a safe home for over 200 orphans - WER saw up close how much of a struggle daily life is for the IDPs.

"Now that the wet season has begun in earnest, the living conditions for these people are severe," says Mr. Haxton. "Those staying in displacement camps are often living in tents or rudimentary houses with three or four families to a room."

The majority of the displacement camps are located in Kenya's Rift Valley, where people were encouraged to go by the government after their homes were destroyed. Tensions still remain high in the area and it is too dangerous for many to return. Additionally, since much of the violence was caused by land disputes, those in the displacement camps have no work and no land to cultivate food to ensure their family's survival.

"Hunger is becoming a real problem in the camps," explains Mr. Haxton. "The majority of government grants promised to every displaced family in 2008 have still not come through one year on. This small amount of money was intended to stop the widespread hunger and malnutrition we are now seeing among the IDP population," he adds.

With minimal support available, either from their own government or from aid agencies, children from the Hope Community Centre have offered to help the displaced people themselves. All 200 children have decided to voluntarily fast for two days each week so that the money saved can be used to buy maize and beans for people in the local displacement camps and host communities.

"Many of these children were orphaned themselves during the violence and come from unimaginable situations," says Alex Haxton. "However, that hasn't stopped them wanting to help. It's amazing that they are prepared to be part of the solution."

During the project visit to Hope Community Centre, WER assisted with a food distribution programme in Kigaritha, where members of the African Inland Church congregation are providing shelter to over 200 displaced families.

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