UNHCR report says 1,000 babies were born in Dadaab

By STANDARD REPORTER

More than 1,000 babies have been born in the world’s largest refugee camp, Dadaab, the latest count by United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) shows.

The number has raised humanitarian concerns in the camp grappling with myriad constraints, among them, health and food aid.

UNHCR registrar survey registered 1,052 babies in Dadaab but noted that mothers give birth to babies at home, raising basic health fears. According to the health assessment, the disease strain in the camps has surged over the last one month with the onset of rains.

Recently, measles outbreak was reported in the camps and 1,500 cases were detected in Hagadera and Kambioos.

Other aid agencies in Dadaab caution that population increase in young children indicates growing needs in refugee camps. UNHCR humanitarian regulations only cater for families that have formally enlisted their details with the agency.

Horn of Africa aid agencies have warned that young children and lactating mothers could suffer malnutrition due to lack of access to basic needs. Ms Fatima Jibbrel, a relief agency official with African Development Solutions, asked the international community to alleviate the plight of children and their mothers in refugee camps.