Hundreds have died and nearly 200,000 displaced by violence following the African country’s Dec. 27 election. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has already provided $250,000 worth of emergency supplies for the people worst-affected, and is now planning a long-term response.

People fled their homes when riots broke out shortly after Kenya’s electoral commission declared that President Mwai Kibaki narrowly beat challenger Raila Odinga. Gangs have threatened families and burned houses.

Displaced Kenyans sought shelter in churches, schools and police compounds and are now moving to designated refugee sites. CRS has delivered thousands of blankets, mosquito nets, water cans and plastic sheets to the Kenya Red Cross at three of these sites and is constructing temporary latrines there as well.

CRS is also supporting the peace and reconciliation efforts of the Kenya Episcopal Conference.

The international relief agency has worked in Kenya for more than 40 years in the areas of food, health, HIV, orphans and other vulnerable children, agriculture, clean water and sanitation.

Donations to CRS for Kenya may be made by:

• Online: CRS.org/kenya/election-violence/
• By phone: 1-800-736-3467
• By mail: CRS, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090

For more information about CRS – Kenya Relief, call Carol Ignacio, CRS diocesan director, 1-877-935-3050 (toll free).