Kenya Govt.sends aid to clash hit Tana Delta as US VP urges Sudan to safeguard her Embassy in Khartoum

 

--> Pakistani Muslims shout slogans against the US during a demonstration against an anti-Islam film in southwest Pakistan's Quetta on Sept. 14, 2012. People in Pakistan Friday staged rallies in the capital Islamabad and other major cities to condemn a blasphemous U.S.-made movie and demanded punishment to all those involved. The demonstrations ended peacefully and no incident of violence took place. (Xinhua Photo/Mohammad)
By Ejidiah Wangui
NAIROBI, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government has dispatched humanitarian aid worth 8.9 million shillings (more than 100,000 U. S. dollars) to the survivors of Tana Delta clashes.
The government said 1,900 bags of rice, 750 bags of soya beans, 150 cartons of soya oil and 150 cartons of corned beef would be dispatched to the affected regions on Saturday.
Special Programs Permanent Secretary Andrew Mondoh said the items would be sent to Tana Delta, Tana River and Bura districts.
"Following the eruption of fresh clashes last week, which subsequently led to an increase in the number of those in need of support, the ministry has released additional humanitarian assistance for the victims," he said.
The government had earlier released a consignment of aid worth 1.8 million shillings to help those affected by the clashes when first clashes erupted.
Mondoh added that the items would be distributed by the District Steering Groups to ensure they reached the required targets.
"Besides the food items, the ministry has also provided 200 kitchen sets, 200 blankets and 600 pieces of soap to the victims through the respective District Commissioners," said the official.
Several NGOs have also joined in to assist those affected.
The Kenya Red Cross Society moved in to assist the survivors with relief aid in form of food and non-food items, while the Safaricom Foundation donated 10 million shillings worth of aid.
At least 112 people have lost their lives and more than 12,000 displaced by the ethno-political clashes that have been ongoing in parts of the Tana Delta for the last four weeks. (Xinhua)
Meanwhile American Vice President Joe Biden on Friday called his Sudanese counterpart to express concern about the security of American embassy and other foreign missions in the country, as at least three people have died there in anti- American protests sparked by a U.S.-made film that insults Prophet Mohammed.
In his phone conversation with Ali Osman Taha, Biden " reaffirmed the responsibility of the government of Sudan to protect diplomatic facilities and stressed the need for the government of Sudan to ensure the protection of diplomats in Khartoum," the White House said in a statement.
Biden also stressed that Washington places "the highest priority" on the safety of U.S. personnel and diplomatic missions abroad, according to the statement.
The American embassy in Khartoum, the national capital of Sudan, had been heavily guarded by Sudanese security forces as well as U. S. marines when protesters marched toward the mission on Friday afternoon. Three protesters died after being hit by a police vehicle as they attempted to reach the embassy.
Earlier in the day, Sudanese protesters tried to storm the embassy of Germany, and the British embassy also drew demonstrators.
The low-budget movie has provoked protests in a dozen of countries including Libya, where U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed after hundreds of angry protesters broke into and set ablaze the U.S. consulate building in Benghazi, a city in eastern Libya.(Xinhua)