UNHCR to open more camps as refugees surge

By DAVID OCHAMI

Kenya has allowed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to open two more camps in North Eastern Province to accommodate a surge of refugees from Somalia.

But the new victims of insecurity and famine will be screened at Liboi to isolate the “ailing and criminals,” according to Prime Minister Raila Odinga who visited Dadaab Refugee Camp yesterday.

Raila asked the international community and aid agencies to step up supply of food and other donations in Somalia to stop the human traffic across the border.

New refugees

“The camps can now open,” declared Raila yesterday after meeting new refugees and UNHCR officials.

Following the declaration of a famine crisis in the Horn of Africa, about 21,000 Somali refugees have moved towards Kenya in June and this month, putting pressure on UNHCR. Kenya already has hosted about 400,000 refugees in Dadaab since 1991 on facilities intended for 90,000 people.

Ifo Extension and Kambioos camps will host 80,000 and 120,000 refugees, said Fafa Attidzah, the head of UNHCR office at Dadaab.

Officials in Dadaab told the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’, that there are between 1,300 to 2,000 refugees, mainly from Bay and Bakool, Gedo and Jubaland regions of Somalia.

The premier said construction of the two new camps, “must continue and be completed.” He added that the Cabinet will meet to discuss the status and future of refugees in the region.

Raila said the international community should step up aid and infrastructure to the new camps. “It is a responsibility that Kenya cannot take alone,” said the premier.