Dadaab is home to the world‟s largest refugee camp. The population in the camp has increased from 194,000 in 2007 to more tham 370,000 as at the end of May 2011. With the continued conflict in Somalia, the number of asylum seekers fleeing into Kenya is expected to keep rising.
In 2005, DRC began its Dadaab operations in partnership with CARE Kenya and the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) to help prepare refugees for eventual return and ensure peaceful coexistence between the refugees and the neighboring population by funding host community activities.
Today, DRC is directly implementing activities in both the refugee camp and in the host community.
Activities being carried out by DRC in Dadaab include:
Shelter and general infrastructure construction
DRC constructs shelter, police offices and accommodation to support law enforcement officials, schools, medical facilities and satellite offices for UNHCR in the camps. The constructions are being carried out by local contractors closely monitored by the DRC Dadaab Construction Unit.
Refugees and host communities livelihoods in Dadaab
DRC is carrying out Water, Sanitation and Hygiene promotion activities as well as Livelihood activities in the host communities of Dadaab. Key activities include the construction of water storage tanks and latrines, extension of water supply pipelines, hygiene awareness training and provision of grants to groups in the community to start-up alternative livelihood projects. DRC in partnership with CARE Kenya is supporting psychosocial, vocational education and livelihood activities in Dadaab refugee camp. The program focuses mainly on improving the livelihoods of the target populations and addressing more durable solutions for the refugees
Advocacy
DRC in partnership with the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) is promoting Refugee Rights and Welfare in Kenya and East African Region through legal clinics, advocacy and awareness creation on the Refugee Act and through research and information dissemination to raise awareness on the plight of refugees in Kenya and the region.
