Standard Chartered donates KES 7M to Catholic relief service for flood in Mathare and Embakasi

Standard Chartered Bank has donated KES 7 million to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to support flood relief efforts targeting vulnerable households in Mathare and Embakasi, Nairobi. The funds, presented during a ceremony at the Mathare Vocational Training Center, will be used for cash transfers to support affected communities, with a specific focus on the youth.

In addition to the financial donation, Standard Chartered and CRS provided food and non-food items to over 200 community members impacted by the recent devastating floods. The relief package aims to help affected families rebuild their lives and livelihoods. The event also featured tree planting, discussions on financial literacy, mental health, and exploring income-generating opportunities in waste recycling.

Speaking at the ceremony, Angela Muathe, Communications Manager for CRS Kenya and Somalia, highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying, “CRS Kenya empowers communities affected by crises by providing immediate relief and long-term development assistance to ensure sustainability. We are excited about this collaboration as it aligns with the Kenyan government’s Vision 2030 social pillar, focusing on education and youth empowerment.”

Joyce Kibe, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing for Standard Chartered Bank Kenya & Africa, emphasized the bank’s commitment to supporting youth empowerment through its Futuremakers initiative. “Globally, 282 million young people are not in education, training, or employment. Our goal is to support young people, especially women and those with disabilities, to learn, earn, and grow. Today, we offered financial literacy training to equip youth with the skills needed to improve their economic participation,” Kibe noted.

The relief initiative will be integrated into CRS Kenya’s Wezesha Vijana program, which focuses on equipping youth with market-driven skills and investment opportunities. Through this collaboration, participants will gain access to training and resources that will help them secure employment or start their own businesses, contributing to their self-reliance and economic growth.

This partnership highlights the importance of public-private collaboration in addressing emergency needs while laying the groundwork for sustainable, long-term development in Kenya’s most vulnerable communities.