AMREF Aids Victims of Fuel Explosion in Kenyan Slum
Updated September 14th, 2011
Sinai is a tangled maze of iron-sheeted shacks and muddy footpaths tucked behind Nairobi’s industrial area, not far from the international Airport. Monday morning, more than 80 people were killed when a ruptured pipeline exploded into flames in the densely–populated area. More than 100 are feared dead and hundreds are injured. According to newspaper reports, the explosion is the worst energy-related disaster in the country's history.
Earlier in the morning, the pipeline that is winding through the neighborhood had burst and gasoline was splashing freely down by the river. Then the wind shifted, witnesses reported, and embers from the garbage fires that routinely burn by the river wafted toward the pipeline area. The explosion occured around 10 a.m., possibly as a group of people were siphoning fuel from the pipeline. There was no time to escape.
More than 100 people have been admitted to various Nairobi area hospitals. Most of them have severe burns, covering over 30% of their bodies. AMREF, which is headquartered in Nairobi, responded immediately and offered its help.
Most of our assistance is focused on assisting Kenyatta Hospital whose staff is stretched extremely thin. Specialist supplies are also running low. We have engaged reconstructive and general surgeons as well as nurses and anesthesiologists to assist with burn patients. We also obtained urgently needed supplies for burn management and surgery. Currently, we are in the process of procuring special equipment and supplies that are not available in Kenya, such as skin substitutes, mesh dermatome, and electric/pneumatic dermatome
To ensure that there will be a continued supply of urgently needed blood and plasma for patients with serious burns, AMREF lab technicians are providing support to the National Blood Transfusion Services in their blood donation drive. We have also sent specialists to assist with psycho-social counseling for victims and families suffering psychological wounds from the loss of loved ones.
Our thoughts are with the victims and everyone who has suffered because of this catastrophe. As the largest Africa-based health development organization, AMREF is ideally positioned not only to work for lasting health changes, but also to provide immediate assistance in man-made and natural disasters, such as the ongoing drought in Africa.
AMREF has been able to immediately respond, in part, with assistance from US donors, who have decided to support our efforts.
To help us assist the victims of this tragedy, please click here.
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