Kenya
Humanity & Inclusion in Kenya
In Kenya, Humanity & Inclusion provides assistance to people living in refugee camps, combats sexual violence against children with disabilities, and increases employment and educational opportunities, as well as political participation, of people with disabilities. Humanity & Inclusion began working in Kenya in 1992 and currently has a team of 67 staff members.
A former British colony, Kenya obtained independence in 1963. Increased circumstances of gender inequality have negatively impacted inclusive human development and economic growth of population, especially in labor markets, access to education and appropriate healthcare. The rights of people with disabilities are often times neglected.
From 2017, the conditions in arid regions of Kenya deteriorated significantly due to drought. There has also been a negative impact of floods, landslides and locust on crops, household food and income sources throughout the country. This led to heightened food insecurity, decreased health and nutrition status at a time when political instability has also increased. In 2021, a long rains assessment report indicated worsening food security, drought and nutritional situation in numerous counties. In September 2021, the President declared the drought a national disaster.
Areas of Intervention
- Health and prevention
- Mental health and psychosocial support
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Rehabilitation
- Protection and risk education
- Inclusive education
- Economic and political inclusion
Humanity & Inclusion works in refugee camps and surrounding host communities to improve the living conditions of refugees and persons with disabilities, by ensuring equal access to services, learning opportunities, civic engagement, raising awareness of discrimination and building the capacity of staff working with these populations to identify the most pressing needs. Humanity & Inclusion also provides protection, psychosocial services and physical rehabilitation services, including provision of assistive devices such as wheelchairs and crutches.
Staff is combating sexual violence against children, in particular those with disabilities. Teams inform children, families, organizations and local authorities about the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and helps survivors and their parents/guardians to access immediate assistance and long-term support.
Our Past Work
Humanity & Inclusion has been in Kenya for 30 years, working to promote an inclusive culture. Over time, we have evolved our work to meet the dynamic needs of the communities we serve.
Read on to learn more about our past work in Kenya and consider investing in our future.
Food Security
In 1992, Humanity & Inclusion launched its activities in Kenya through an emergency food aid program in Garissa, following the famine and civil war in Somalia.
Inclusion
Humanity & Inclusion launched a regional project in Kenya and Tanzania to help implement the International Convention of People with Disabilities. Teams supported physical rehabilitation and education of children with disabilities in Kibera and Dandora informal settlement areas and persons with disabilities in the Dadaab refugee camps. Staff also implemented an inclusive education project in the Nairobi area to ensure that children with disabilities had equal access to education opportunities.
Healthcare
Humanity and Inclusion focused on improving surgical treatment at Garissa Provincial Hospital for refugees and support to the primary health care system in neighboring communities.
An on-going maternal and child healthcare project was launched in informal settlements in 2014, which seeks to improve the health status of mothers, newborns, and children within Nairobi.
To enhance the quality of life of people with diabetes and reduced the occurrence of disabling complications, Humanity & Inclusion developed and promoted regional expertise based on a network of local capacities in Kitale and Trans-Nzoia District. In addition, awareness campaigns provided the general population with information about the disease and how to prevent it.
HIV/AIDS Prevention
To promote HIV prevention in Nairobi, Kiambu and Machakos, Humanity & Inclusion trained educators to lead peer-to-peer awareness sessions among youth and at-risk populations such as people with disabilities and young mothers.
Road Safety
To help establish better enforcement of road regulations, Humanity & Inclusion worked with the police on the issue of road safety and trained local NGOs in how to use the media to promote safer roads.
Armed Violence Reduction
In northwestern Kenya, teams worked reduce incidences of violence in the region.