Since 7 January 2024, Baringo county, in the Rift Valley region of Kenya has been facing humanitarian crisis due to the protracted conflict between the communities living in that area. In March, an escalation of the conflict resulted in the displacement of over 16,000 persons in search of safety, establishing camps in Baringo North and Baringo South sub-counties. The conflict also led to the closure of medical facilities leaving the communities with no access to healthcare.

MSF team carried out a needs assessment, and on 29 April initiated an emergency intervention, focused on supporting the displaced persons with medical outreaches, reinforcing mental health access and bridging water, sanitation and hygiene gaps in the camps in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and its partners.

The team also trained 58 primary healthcare workers and 187 community health promoters to respond to the mental health and psychosocial support needs of Baringo’s population, and the management of survivors of sexual violence.

Following heavy rainfall in early May that led to two rivers breaking their banks, destroying homes, properties and farmland, MSF extended its activities to respond to the flooding crisis, providing primary healthcare including mental health and psychosocial support, malaria prevention, NFI kits, and water purification items, in addition delivering humanitarian aid to those displaced by conflict. The displaced persons camps have since been closed.