Kenya has continued to enjoy relative stability in comparison to the neighbouring countries in the East African region. Most of its neighbours have experienced conflict at one point or another within the past two decades that has resulted in major displacement of their populations as seen in the case of Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Several of the affected populations seek refuge in Kenya.
The world‟s largest refugee camp
The Dadaab refugee camp consisting of Dagahaley and Ifo camps in Lagdera district and Hagadera camp in Fafi district in North Eastern Kenya is now home to the world‟s largest refugee camp as a result of the conflict in neighbouring Somalia, with a report-ed average of 10,000 hungry and exhausted refugees coming in every month since the beginning 2011. The influx is attributed to the latest political events and severe drought in the southern parts of Somalia.
With the current population standing at 352,901 in Dadaab, more and more continue to come in despite insufficient humanitarian aid to cope with the numbers. The overstretched, limited resources available to the large refugee population is creating an extremely vulnerable group as they desperately search for alternative means to cater for their basic rights in a camp initially set-up to accommodate 90,000 refugees. This explains why the quality of refugee protection has continued to deteriorate over the years.
Operation Rudi Nyumbani
The 2008 post-election violence in Kenya resulted in the displacement of over 600,000 people. Several of the displaced persons ended up in camps, while others opted to flee to other parts of the country including their ancestral homes. In mid-2008, the government set up a resettlement programme “Operation Rudi Nyumbani” amid concerns from IDPs who felt that their safety and access to basic necessities was not guaranteed. However, despite the property destruction and fears, many returned to their farms. More IDPs continue to return to their farms several months after the resettlement programme began.
DRC in Kenya
In Kenya DRC Constructs social infrastructure facilities including construction of police accommodation and offices, schools, medical facilities and UNHCR satellite field offices; this is in addition to construction of water tanks under the refugee program. In partnership with CARE Kenya and Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) other activities carried out include: Psychosocial assistance, vocational training, and income generating activities, expansion of water supply systems in the camps (CARE) and, legal aid and advocacy (RCK).
Host community activities being carried out include the construction of water tanks and latrines, extension of pipelines, hygiene awareness training and provision of grants to groups in the community to start-up alternative livelihood projects.
Under the IDP (internally displaced persons) project, DRC constructs shelters for the victims of the 2008 post-election violence in the Rift Valley, while also addressing peace and reconciliation through peace building activities (in partnership with RCK) to ensure healing and peaceful coexistence among the communities.
Internship
The DRC Horn of Africa region occasionally offers short-term voluntary unpaid internships based in one of our field offices in the region. If you are interested in an internship opportunity send your application to intern@drchoa.org.
The applications will be reviewed on a regular basis to assess the suitability and relevance to DRC program needs. Please note that due to limited resources, we cannot avail opportunities to all applicants and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
