UN alarmed at congestion in refugee camps

The United Nations has expressed concern at increasing overcrowding in three refugee camps in Kenya following an influx of asylum seekers from Somalia.

UN refugee agency, the World Food Programme and Unicef Kenya said in a press release that more than 6,000 new asylum-seekers arrived in the three camps at Dadaab in October 2008 alone. This has seen the population rise to 224,000 compared to 171,000 at the start of the year.

Of the 56,000 asylum-seekers fleeing conflict in Somalia, the majority are from Mogadishu while others are from Lower Juba regions of Kismayo, Jamame and Afmadow.

Humanitarian crisis

The UNHCR said it had asked the Government to allocate extra land where a new camp can be built.

“We may soon face a humanitarian crisis if we continue depending on the three existing camps to accommodate the new arrivals,” said UNHCR representative, Liz Ahua.

“As has been experienced in refugee camps the world over, congestion creates an unsafe environment for women and children,” said Unicef Kenya representative, Olivia Yambi.

“The influx from Somalia is adding to the costs of feeding and caring for the refugees at Dadaab,” said WFP Kenya Country Director Burkard Oberle.

The refugee agency says that should the situation in Somalia deteriorate, some 60,000 to 100,000 may cross into Kenya next year.