The refugee camp where three “generations” live
Located in the north-eastern part of Kenya, Dadaab refugee camp is today considered the biggest refugee camp in the world.
Set up between October 1991 and June 1992, the camp was intended to host refugees fleeing civil war in Somalia then. Its original capacity was 90,000 people.
However, there are nearly 500,000 refugees and asylum-seekers today, including 10,000 third-generation refugees born in Dadaab.
“We have witnessed several cases of grandparents and their grandchildren living in refugee camps,” said Mohammad Abu Asaker, UNHCR Public Information and Communications Officer in the UAE.
Such situations have been witnessed in refugee camps in Kenya and Tindouf in Algeria.
Easing the plight of refugees: Food, water and shelter provision
Rising refugee numbers have resulted in a pressing need to meet the basic needs of people forced to flee their homes and countries.
Through coordination with other UN agencies, the UNHCR leads coordination efforts to ease the plight of refugees. The World Food Program (WFP) meets the food needs of the refugees, with hot meals being provided in some camps. In other camps, the system of food rations is being implemented.
UNHCR official Mohammad Abu Asaker says “food is guaranteed by [the] UNHCR for refugees living in camps only.”
Clean water is also provided in coordination with Unicef. Other international organisations are also participating in providing services to refugees. For example, nearly 100 international organisations are partnering with the UNHCR in meeting the needs of refugees affected by the Syrian crisis, Abu Asaker said.
As for education, the UNHCR has the support of “relevant partners” in providing education to refugees’ children. Classes are held in camps, while fees, uniforms and stationery are provided by the UN agency and its partners.
