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UNHCR Emergency Assistance Programme for Somali Refugees in Dadaab, Kenya: Jan - Dec 2009

Attachments

Bridging critical protection and assistance gaps of the existing Somali refugee population; construction of two camps to decongest the three camps in Dadaab, accommodation and provision of humanitarian assistance to new arrivals

Background

Over the past years, Kenya has hosted Somali refugees from Mogadishu and the Lower Juba regions of Kismayo, Jamame and Afmadow. Following the closure of the Mombassa camps in 1997, the Somali refugees who did not repatriate were relocated to Dadaab and Kakuma camps. Since then, new arrivals continue to add to the existing refugee population in Dadaab. Despite the official closure of the Kenyan border with Somalia in early 2007, more than 60,000 people have crossed into Kenya throughout 2008. The Somali refugee influx is expected to continue in the coming months as a result of ongoing violence in Somalia, compounded by severe drought conditions, food insecurity and heavy floods.

The Somali unrest and displacement to Kenya is straining the resources of the Kenyan Government and humanitarian agencies. New arrivals are accommodated in camps in Dadaab (Dagahaley, Hagadera and Ifo) which host three times the number of people for which they were initially designed. Without a political resolution to the conflict in Somalia, the humanitarian situation will remain critical in Kenya, which currently hosts close to 250,000 Somali refugees. The Kenyan authorities, UNHCR and other UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs have been working closely to improve the general living conditions of Somali refugees, but the needs are enormous and the current level of funding is insufficient. Additional human and financial resources, beyond those originally foreseen in UNHCR's Annual Programme Budget for 2009, are required to meet minimum standards and provide essential services for the existing caseload as well as some 120,000 new arrivals expected through the coming year.

The total requirements for UNHCR's humanitarian interventions in Dadaab amount to some US$91.5 millions out of which US$21.4 million is already included in UNHCR's Global Appeal under the Annual Programme Budget. Under this Supplementary Appeal, UNHCR is seeking an additional US$ 70,149,109 to cover activities to improve the living conditions of the original Somali refugee population by bridging critical operational gaps, and the construction of two new camps for some 40,000 - 60,000 refugees. This will enable UNHCR to decongest the three overcrowded camps in Dadaab and provide emergency assistance to new arrivals.

This Appeal will absorb funding requirements for Somali refugees in Kenya included in the 2009 Somalia Situation Supplementary Programme.

Immediate humanitarian requirements include provision of protection and legal assistance; primary health care; water and sanitation services; shelter; basic non-food items; education; firewood; prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS; and addressing the needs of people with specific needs.

Programme at a glance

Title Emergency Assistance Programme for Somali Refugees in Dadaab, Kenya.
Beneficiaries
  • Bridge identified operational gaps and unmet needs of the current Somali refugee population of well over 200,000 in Dadaab camps;
  • Construction of two camps to host 40,000 - 60,000 each to decongest existing camps and to host newly arriving Somali refugees;
  • Provision of emergency assistance to 120,000 new arrivals in 2009.
Time frame January - December 2009
Total requirements USD 91,591,751