Refugees Influx into Kenya
Kenya is among the top-refugee-hosting countries in Africa with the majority living in Dadaab, Garissa County and Kakuma camp and Kalobeyei settlement in Turkana County. According to the Department of Refugee Services, Dadaab has 233,828 refugees (43%) while Kakuma (and Kalobeyei Settlement nearby) hosts 252,066 refugees (42%). However, the actual number is significantly higher due to an influx of new arrivals in both camps as a result of conflicts, drought and instability in the region. The unfolding crisis of new arrivals into the refugee camps is getting worse and Dadaab refugee camp is most affected, with a reported number of 119,602 new arrivals as at February 2023. In Kakuma refugee camp, there is an increase of over 30,217 between January 2022 and January 2023 with 9,184 people currently at the reception centres as of March 2023. Three-quarters of the refugee population are women and children. Children (0-17 years) account for half the population.
The refugee influx into Kenya has reached a crisis level as the increased numbers have triggered further strain on the already stretched resources and services. In Dadaab refugee camp, new arrivals live in temporary, and make-shift shelters in the communities as they wait to be settled into the camps, posing a threat to their security and health as a result of overcrowding and poor sanitation. Health partners have reported increased disease outbreaks including cholera and measles. At the reception centers in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, the situation is the same since the centers are supporting more people beyond capacity. The Government of Kenya in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian agencies are responding to the situation by re-opening new camps in Dadaab- Kambioos and IFO 2 which were closed in 2017 and 2018 respectively due to the reduction of the number of refugees after a voluntary repatriation programme to support the growing populations.
In humanitarian crisis, FAK provides access to accurate, timely and relevant information packages using appropriate channels and local languages and putting into consideration cultural norms and practices that address needs of affected communities in different phases of a humanitarian crisis that can be the difference between life and death. Alongside humanitarian services such as the direct provision of food, shelter, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, protection and health, the provision of information and platforms for communication to those in need is a core component of the response. As the leading communications organization, FilmAid Kenya is providing life-saving and critical information to new arrivals and requests your support to enhance its response. Communities need information about the services available, including registration, health, education, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), fraud, and corruption, and how to access these services in a dignified manner.
FilmAid is producing and disseminating both one-way and two-way content across diverse information channels, such as film, radio, and SMS, to meet the wide-ranging information and language needs of refugees and host communities. While one-way content will seek to provide time-sensitive information to raise awareness about the emergency response: what services are available, how can you access those services, who is providing those services, and where can you access those services through mass information services. Two-way content will build on this increased awareness and knowledge, by giving a voice to persons of concern and directly engaging with affected populations through a participatory and two-way approach.
FAK’s response will enable the new arrivals to look after themselves, their families, and their communities to help them mitigate risk and shape their own responses enhancing their safety, dignity, and their rights, removing them from harm to safety.
