The ensuing violence in Kenya after the results of last week's polls has disrupted the United Nations' humanitarian supplies to several African countries.
UNITED NATIONS: The ensuing violence in Kenya after the results of last week's polls has disrupted the United Nations' humanitarian supplies to several African countries, making the world body to ask the government to establish safe corridors for uninterrupted flow of aid.
Strongly condemning the violence, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reminded the government as well as the political and religious leaders of Kenya of their obligation and moral responsibility to protect lives of innocent people, regardless of their racial, religious and ethnic origin.
Ban said he is in touch with African leaders to seek ways to bring the situation under control and end the crisis.
Humanitarian access, the world body said on Wednesday, has become a major problem, as UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the Nairobi-Nakuru road is currently being blocked by vigilante groups.
In addition, the UN Office at Nairobi (UNON) reported that transport corridors from the Port of Mombasa through Kenya have been restricted, disrupting supply chains to humanitarian and peacekeeping operations in areas such as Southern Sudan, Uganda and parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The Nairobi office has also highlighted disturbing reports of sexual abuse and assault against women and children. It is concerned that slum populations in cities are critically short of food and other essential items.
Meanwhile, the UN's Disaster Management Team in the country is holding consultations with the Kenyan Red Cross to assess humanitarian needs and determine how it can best help alleviate the current crisis.
For its part, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) says it is ready to help up to 85,000 people with shelter and basic supplies, and has already pre-positioned 13,000 family kits, which contain blankets, tarpaulins, cooking sets, soap and jerry cans, with a further 2,000 kits in the pipeline.
The UN refugee agency has sent a team to the Kenya-Uganda border, following reports that 600 Kenyans have arrived there.
Ban voiced his shock at the deadly outburst of violence that has gripped Kenya following the announcement of election results last week and has reportedly claimed the lives of 300 civilians, including dozens who were burned to death inside a church.
In a statement on Wednesday, he said he is "increasingly troubled" by the escalating tensions and violence in the aftermath of last week's polls.
Drawing attention to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the East African nation, Ban called for safe access for relief workers assisting those affected by the violence, including the large number of displaced people.
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