Monday, January 23, 2006

Office building collapses in Nairobi

 

Six people are confirmed death after the collapse of an office building under construction in downtown Nairobi. An estimated 200 people, mostly construction workers, were in the building when it collapsed. 100 people are admitted in the hospital. The Kenya Red Cross is still busy with a rescue operation. Due to unconfirmed sources the building collapsed because it was built to fast.

It's interesting how the general situation in a country can reflect in its disasters. It's sad for the people and the families from the people lost their lives . You can feel this sadness on the site, but also something else is happening there.

It starts with the huge crowd surrounding the site. Most probably because the majority of Kenyans are jobless, and have nothing else to do. They block the roads, and hamper the rescue operation. The police has to disperse the crowd using clubs.

The people in their turn react very aggressively most probably because of a growing negative attitude to the government. 'President Kibaki and you go home.' That's what people in the crowd are shouting to vice-president Moodi Awori. He came to the site to witness the disaster, and to show his respects to the victims.

He and the president is named among people who were involved in a multi-million corruption scandal in Kenya. Let alone the bad conditions of the roads that the few ambulances have to use, the lack of medical staff in the hospitals.

Health ministre Gilu asked people on the radio to come and give blood, and reassured that 'Everything is under control'. The rescue operation for Kenya continues.

Under the image you'll find clippings of a video I shot with my phone.

posted @ 5:09 PM | Feedback (2)

Somalia - drought & famine

Dear readers,

Continuing reporting on drought and famine in East Africa.

In Somalia now some 1.7 million people face drought and related famine.

Leaving on Wednesday to Wajid in Southern Somalia where there is no functional government. That means that it is very difficult to dispatch food aid and equipment to drill water points.

Direct your queries and requests to info@videoreporter.nl or dial +254 736 734 312. Note: EAT: +3 GMT

Have a good week.

posted @ 11:39 AM | Feedback (1)