Page 28 - MANDERA-COUNTY- THE 2019 MAGAZINE

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Ibrahim B. Hassan
CECM, Finance and
Planning

An aerial view of the Rhamu housing project

Investing in sustainable shelter development
757-UNIT HOUSING PROJECT PRAISED

ccess to decent and affordable sustainable shelter development and is AFTER
housing for all remains an enduring being used a model for the national gov-
Adream for Governor Ali Roba. ernment’s affordable housing agenda
The county has shouldered responsibil- Affordable housing comes with advan-
ity of responding to people displaced by tages for low-income members, and
internal conflicts and driven out of places leads to improved neighbourhood and
they call home. quality housing in a safe environment,
as well as less crowding. It also reduces
“Over a period of two years, and in part- inequalities and improves self-belief and
nership with the national government hope for the future while also contributing
which injected Sh70 million, we have man- to healthy lifestyle.
aged to put up 757 low-cost housing units
in Rhamu area in Mandera North constitu- The Special Programmes and Disas-
ency,” cays the County Executive Commit- ter Management Unit in the Ministry of
tee Member in charge of Special Program- Finance whose objective is to build the
memes Ibrahim Hassan Barrow, who also community’s resilience to natural and BEFORE
holds the Finance and Economic Planning man-made disasters to minimize impacts
dockets.. of shocks and hazards, has played a big
role in alleviating suffering.
Each house cost about Sh115,000 and
came in handy for the suffering people The unit has played a major role in the con-
who needed a roof over their heads. The struction of complete 757 housing units for
project has contributed immensely to re- internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a
ducing inequalities and social exclusion of result of the inter-clan clashes and pro-
the displaced and offered an avenue for vided monthly food rations to 4,000 IDP
reintegration of the people. households, the orphanages as well as for
vulnerable members of the community.
Today, the housing project has become
an illustration of the county government’s The unit also distributes food as a drought
commitment to investing in the provision of mitigation measure once or twice yearly