On Thursday, aid agencies warned that a critical shortage of funds was threatening lives in Dadaab refugee camp complex, the world’s largest, risking worsening an already volatile security situation.
The population, which lies near the Somali border, has increased by one-third over the past year.
This is not the first time the agencies have sounded the alarm over the state of affairs in Dadaab.
In the past Kenya has appealed to the international community to help alleviate the situation. However, it seems like the needed support has not been forthcoming.
According to the agencies, new shelters for 30,000 people are needed, but the agencies have funding for only 4,000. They say without funding vital services like provision of health, clean water and security are overstretched. Abduction of aid workers is also in the raise.
The security situation cannot be overemphasised. Reports say sexual violence in the camp has increased by 36 per cent in recent months, they added.
However, funding for security has decreased. This does not augur well for Kenya especially in light of the latest attacks that the Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for.
defector talk
There have been claims that some defectors have arrived in the refugees camps. There is no telling if the said defectors could not turn into conduits for terror in the camps in future.
The international community should, therefore, step up and address the situation before it gets out of hand. A while back, there was talk of seeking a long-term solution to the camp, the discussions should be revisited.
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