Articles

Victoria Research and Development (ViRED), is executing entity located in Suba, Homa Bay County, and borders Lake Victoria to the North and West, Migori District’s Karungu Division to the South; and Ruma National Park covering Central Division of Suba District and Ndhiwa Division of Homa Bay District to the West. It covers a total area of 332.9 km². Gwassi Division is the largest and most populous in Suba District where Suba is one of the nine districts selected by the Ministry of Planning and National Development as a pilot district for implementation of district based initiatives to fast track the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The division has more than 70% of the people without access to clean drinking water.  This has resulted in prevalence of waterborne diseases including diarrhoea affecting about 32% of children below 5 years.  During the implementation of the Programme, World Vision in collaboration with various stakeholders will promote effective management and supply of water resources in order to increase the adaptive capacity of the selected communities. The key adaptation mechanisms will include increased irrigation technology, water and soil conservation strategies and use of drought tolerant crops.

Various members of the community were consulted onsite identification and appropriate sites for dyke construction were identified. Government institutions with earth moving machines were identified. Blocked drainage channels in the basin were also identified and the farm implements to be used for blocking the channels were purchased.

Vouchers for opening the 10Km of blocked drainage channels were printed and the traders identified. They conducted community mobilization and trained 35 people on propagation and economic importance of Bamboo. One bamboo nursery was successfully established and the materials to establish the other three were purchased. Bamboo seedlings and cuttings were also purchased.113 community members were trained on the use of early warning systems to mitigate the adverse effects of drought and flooding to their livelihood. 24 teachers were also trained on early warning systems to minimize impact of disaster on learning.

102 community members were trained on disaster preparedness to mitigate the negative impacts of disasters in Nyando Basin. 40 teachers were also trained on disaster preparedness. Vired procured 5000 seedlings and 5000 cuttings of bamboo that were planted, along river Ombei that originates from Nandi Hills, bamboo trees have been planted.

The biggest challenge in this case is flooding. It is a wetland area therefore, cases of over flooding we’ll always happen unless people are sensitized on ways to deal with the situation because climate change occurs every second. Vired has the capacity to mobilize the area people into being aware of any climatic disaster. Another challenge is delay of funds to buy trees for planting. The EE should be able to monitor the distribution of funds and ensure that effective usage of the funds is undertaken and also there is efficient release of funds.