Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has launched a regional disaster response and rescue coordination center within Homa Bay town with an aim for enhanced emergency preparedness and service delivery for disaster-prone areas.
The ground breaking ceremony which took place on Tuesday at the HOMAWASCO compound was officiated by KRCS Secretary General Idris Ahmed and Deputy Governor of Homa Bay Joseph Oyugi Magwanga together with other leaders in the county.
It will be used as a regional office and a coordination center for responding to natural disasters and other emergency situations more efficiently and promptly. Idris noted the center will boost coordination between the humanitarian agency and government bodies for smooth disaster handling.
“This facility will improve coordination between the Kenya Red Cross and relevant government bodies, allowing us to respond swiftly to emergencies and provide timely rescue services to affected communities,” Idris said.
Apart from disaster response activities, the centre will have a youth empowerment unit aimed at promoting creativity, skills development, and wealth creation for the young populations across the region.
Deputy Governor Magwanga praised the initiative, noting that Homa Bay County is currently exposed to seasonal floods which displace communities, most prominently in Wang’chieng Ward (Karachuonyo Constituency), parts of Suba North, Suba South and Rangwe constituencies.
“This facility will be a lifeline for families affected by floods. It will allow us to provide immediate rescue, relief and support to residents forced to leave their homes during heavy rains,” Magwanga said. The Kenya Red Cross has promised to finish the centre in time for it to be operational before the forthcoming rainy season when flood-related emergency cases will be at their worst.
Written By Rodney Mbua
