UNHCR BRANCH OFFICE FOR KENYA

Donor Update February 1 to 15, 2010 This is a bi-monthly update of UNHCR’s operational programmes in Kenya.

Nairobi

Meeting on Repatriation of Sudanese The Government of Kenya was led by Mr. Refugees in Kenya: Peter Kusimba, Commissioner for Refugee The 5 th Meeting of the Tripartite Commission Affairs; the Government of Sudan was led by on Voluntary Repatriation of Sudanese Dr. Mohamed Ahmed M. Al-Aghbash, Refugees in Kenya was held on February 12 in Commissioner for Refugees in Sudan while the Nairobi. This was in accordance with the UNHCR delegation was led by Ms. Liz Ahua, Tripartite Agreement signed between the Representative, UNHCR in Kenya. Government of Sudan, the Government of Kenya and UNHCR on 12 January 2006. Influx of Somali asylum seekers seeking registration: The urban programme has received an average number of 350 asylum seekers per day, overwhelming the registration capacity. 90% are comprised of Somali nationals, and include both new arrivals and unregistered long stayers pressed to secure documentation in the wake of the Government’s crackdown on undocumented aliens. Simultaneously, UNHCR and its partners have continued to intervene

with law enforcement authorities so as to The Heads of the three delegations during the Tripartite secure the release of asylum seekers and Meeting proceedings. UNHCR/C.Bodo refugees.

The three parties reaffirmed their commitment to help Sudanese refugees to Dadaab return from Kenya to Sudan voluntarily and in dignity and safety. The refugees who choose New Arrivals / Mass Influx to remain in Kakuma will continue to benefit from international protection. It was noted Preparedness that return rates had declined and the Dadaab continues to experience a continuous Commission reiterated the need for the influx of new arrivals from Somalia. Some Sudanese Government to ensure security in 7,016 new arrivals have thus far been areas of return. The meeting expressed registered since the beginning of the year, satisfaction with the consistent and with 6,447 arriving from Somalia, 422 from coordinated information sharing which allows Ethiopia, and 147 from Sudan. Despite returning refugees to make informed increased insecurity in the border regions of decisions. Somalia, with ongoing fighting between government forces and armed insurgents, The Somali Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. UNHCR is yet to observe a significant Mohamed Ali Nur, visited Dadaab on 15 increase in new arrivals in Dadaab. The February. The Ambassador, who is the first number of new arrivals the week ending 12 representative of the Transitional Federal Feb was slightly higher (1,486) but generally Government to visit Dadaab, visited all the in line with trends over the recent weeks. As three camps. He met with new arrivals at the of 15 February the overall population in UNHCR registration site, spoke with refugees Dadaab stood at 262,181 persons. at the food distribution centre, and visited a Primary School. Health: He also met with leaders from each camp to Refugee Incentive staff workers, and most discuss potential involvement of refugees in Somali Kenyan workers that support health discussions concerning the future of Somalia. services, have been on strike in Ifo since 31 January, and in Hagadera since 2 February. In Education: both camps health centres were closed while Youth Education Pack (YEP) centres observed the hospitals maintained a minimum service their second graduation ceremony on with Kenyan staff from other provinces. On 11 February 4. A total of 369 students including February, a meeting was held with Refugee 178 girls graduated during a colorful event Incentive Workers’ representatives from the which was graced by government officials who Health Sector in order to discuss issues emphasized the importance of the refugees related to harmonization of incentive wages to abide by the laws of the land. Also present and the strike. Negotiations are ongoing and were agency representatives, parents and it is soon hoped that a resolution of the friends of the graduates. The refugee situation can be reached. community was urged to allow girls to benefit from the program which also caters for young Outbreak of Bacterial Meningitis: mothers. The students graduated in various skills including secretarial, tailoring, masonry, Since 1 February, four cases (one adult, three electronics and hair & beauty skills. infants) of suspected bacterial meningitis have been reported in Ifo and one in Dagahaley. The sample sent to Kenya Medical Water: Research Institute (KEMRI) showed In Hagadera the two elevated tanks built by Streptococcus pneumonia on culture. the Italian NGO, COOPI (Cooperazione Internationale), were undergoing testing and Somali Ambassador’s Visit: will assist in improving water storage capacity in the camp. Two elevated tanks each in Ifo

and Dagahaley constructed by COOPI have been completed and connected to the water system.

Kakuma

Government provides 960 doses to manage malaria cases in Kakuma: UNHCR and International Rescue Committee (IRC) put in place various measures to control a possible malaria outbreak and manage a His Excellency the Somali Ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ali Nur sits with learners in a classroom in reported rise in cases since January. IRC Horseed Primary School, Ifo Camp. UNHCR/A.Needham embarked on distribution of mosquito nets to new arrivals and liaised with the

Ministry of Health (MOH) that has provided The objective of the two day mission was to 480 doses of malaria drugs for adults and establish whether any of the persons 480 doses for children. This is a boost to the arrested fell within UNHCR’s mandate. This 300 doses that would have run out by the end was done through one on one screening of February. Indoor residual spraying of interviews and dialogue with key Government refugees shelters was conducted in newly of Kenya officials in the Judiciary, Police and constructed and temporary shelters for new Kenya Prisons Department. Lodwar falls arrivals. under the Kakuma flight corridor and missions are conducted on a quarterly basis by UNHCR.

Sub-Office Kakuma was informed that 95 individuals had been arrested between January and February. 60 of the individuals had appeared before court, 20 of whom were deported and the remaining ones fined Kshs. 20,000 or sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.

UNHCR also met with 13 refugee detainees who raised various concerns including lack of New arrivals already issued with mosquito nets. medicine and personal effects such as shoes UNCHR/P.Muriuki and clothing. The refugee agency was able to Detention Monitoring and Screening: provide soap and blankets to the prison. UNHCR staff members visited Lodwar prison UNHCR will continue making regular visits to and conducted interviews with some 75 Lodwar Prison and will include Government of Ethiopian nationals arrested while crossing Kenya officials from the larger Turkana into Kenya through Todonyang, the Kenyan Districts in trainings on International border town located north of Lake Turkana. Refugee Law and Protection.

For more information, please contact: Emmanuel Nyabera UNHCR Kenya +254-20-4232120 [email protected]