NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya has taken a significant step toward strengthening its disaster response capabilities through a partnership with the United Kingdom, which has provided specialized training for more than 30 first responders.
The intensive eight-day Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training, conducted by the UK International Search and Rescue (ISAR) team, took place at the Disaster Response Battalion in Nairobi.
The program targeted officers from Kenya’s National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) and the military’s Disaster Response Battalion, equipping them with essential skills to handle emergencies such as collapsed buildings, earthquakes, and industrial accidents.
The training was delivered using a “train-the-trainer” model, ensuring that the knowledge and expertise gained will be cascaded to other responders.
Participants were trained in search and assessment techniques, structural monitoring, shoring, lifting and moving debris, and navigating restricted spaces—critical skills for saving lives in disaster-stricken areas.
Speaking on the partnership, Leigh Stubblefield, Development Director at the British High Commission in Nairobi, emphasized the importance of effective disaster response.
“Disasters such as earthquakes, industrial accidents, and floods pose serious challenges, not just in Kenya but globally. It is imperative that when they occur, there is a swift and effective national response. We are proud to partner with Kenya, learning from its teams while sharing our expertise,” Stubblefield said.
The UK-ISAR team, comprising members of various UK Fire and Rescue Services, designed the training to address real-world emergency scenarios, ensuring Kenya’s first responders are better equipped to handle disasters.
The UK’s involvement in disaster response efforts in Kenya extends beyond training.
In 2023, a UK-ISAR team conducted a scoping visit to assess Kenya’s disaster management needs, leading to the development of this training program.
Additionally, in response to severe flooding in 2024, the UK provided an emergency funding uplift of over KES 140 million, aiding approximately 6,900 households in affected counties, including Nairobi, Tana River, and Garissa.
The funds, delivered through UNICEF, supported health, nutrition, and sanitation services for displaced families, providing clean drinking water, temporary sanitation facilities, and hygiene kits.
This training marks the beginning of an ongoing collaboration between Kenya and the UK to enhance emergency preparedness.
By strengthening the skills of first responders, the partnership aims to reduce casualties and improve disaster response efficiency in Kenya, ensuring more lives are saved when catastrophe strikes.
