Nairobi, Kenya, January 4, 2008 Almost one week after election clashes in Kenya, unrest continues to hamper relief efforts across much of the country. Aid agency World Vision has called for an immediate stop to the violence that has killed more than 300 people, and is working to reach some 18,500 displaced and vulnerable people with emergency aid amidst ongoing security challenges.

"We are distributing food, water, mosquito nets, blankets and shelter materials to more than 18,500 people living in police stations, schools and churches and others marooned in houses," said World Vision's relief expert in Nairobi, Nick Wasunna. "But logistically we are finding it difficult to move aid to people in need." The Christian humanitarian agency has joined other aid groups to urge leaders of the contending political parties to seek a resolution to the situation.

"We appeal to the Party of National Unity and the Orange Democratic Movement leaders to exercise restraint and call on their supporters to hold peace. The courts of law should address issues arising from the polls as a matter of urgency," said Thomas Ruttoh, Operations Director for World Vision in Kenya.

Violence has caused a severe shortage of fuel and forced shops to remain closed. The security situation has limited the movements of relief staff who are working to meet the needs of people in the worst affected areas of the country.

World Vision is distributing aid in Nairobi's Kibera slum today and tomorrow, and will deliver supplies to Kisumu in western Kenya early next week. The agency is also partnering with the Red Cross to distribute aid in Eldoret in the west. "We are doing our utmost to reach people but the safety of communities and our staff on the ground is paramount," said Wasunna.

Violent demonstrations over five days have led to deaths, injuries and the destruction of property in many locations across the country. The town of Eldoret joined Kisumu as a regional epicenter of violence with ethnic communities striving to drive one another out of the area and increasing the tally of displaced people to more than 100,000.

World Vision has been working with a network of NGOs and multi-faith leaders, as well as a UN-led umbrella group of humanitarian agencies and the Kenyan Red Cross Society (KRCS) to ensure that there is a coordinated and professional response to the crisis. World Vision has served in Kenya for more than 30 years and has extensive programs across the country in primary health care, education, food security, water and sanitation and HIV and AIDS.

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World Vision staff in Kenya are available for interviews. Please contact Rachel Wolff at 253.394.2214 or RWolff@worldvision.org or Patterson Siema in Kenya at +254 734350054.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Note to Editors: Please see the below for joint statement issued January 1, 2008.

STATEMENT OF CONCERN BY MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION VIOLENCE RESPONSE INITIATIVE

We, representing over 140 national and international organizations and over four million men and women working in all districts across Kenya, have come together as coalitions of civil society organizations, private sector and other non-state actors, are alarmed by the rising hatred, violence and displacement across of our beloved Kenya following the 2007 General Elections.

Violence engulfed most parts of Kenya as a consequence of perceptions regarding the integrity of the electoral process and the subsequent announcement and swearing in of President Mwai Kibaki as the winner of the presidential elections.

We call upon:

• PNU and ODM leaders to exercise restraint and call on their supporters to uphold and restore peace. • The courts of law to address issues arising from the polls as a matter of urgency. • The uniformed forces to act in a non-discriminative manner protect civilians, to allow the safe delivery of assistance and to respect humanitarian space and the safety of humanitarian workers and to avoid excessive use of force which may inflame the situation. • The authorities to lift the current ban on live broadcasts by the electronic media to enable the flow of information critical to identifying and reaching those at risk. • Citizens of the country to reject and desist from all acts which contribute to tribal discrimination, hatred and violence. • Above all we appeal to all Kenyans to stop the violence immediately.

Notes: NGOs working in Kenya have observed and continue to observe the beatings of civilians, the torching of homes and the killing of men and women. The violence encompasses criminal and ethnically motivated acts spread out across the Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central and Coast provinces of the country. Among the worst affected cities are Kisumu, Kuresoi, Eldoret, Nairobi, Nakuru, Kakamega, Busia, Kisumu, Ahero, Migori, Kericho, Mombasa Kitale and Lugari.

Over 120 people have been killed. Thousands more have been injured and have lost property through widespread acts of violence. Close to 100,000 people have been displaced in Nairobi, the Western, Rift Valley and Cost Provinces, triggering an exodus of people in search of safety. Many others are locked up in their homes with dwindling supplies of food and water. The majority of those affected are children and the poor, particularly those from slum and rural areas. This situation requires immediate attention. Aid and humanitarian workers must step up their operations and deliver the much needed aid and protection to affected civilians.

Ends 1st January 2008

Signed:

Peace and Development Network Trust (Peace-net) Partners for Peace Maendeleo ya Wanawake

In conjunction with: Oxfam Action Aid International World Vision Africa