Nairobi, 9 May 2013 – Ever since the Kenya government decided last December to order all refugees living in urban areas to move to camps and ceased registration of asylum seekers in urban areas, fear and hardship have descended on the Kenyan capital. In particular Somali refugees, as well as Kenyans of Somali origin, have been subjected to increased harassment. Despite efforts by Kenyan NGOs to block the implementation of the directive, hospitality to refugees is at an all-time low.

Pastoral communities in Kenya suffer from consequences of drought and isolation from access to humanitarian aid. A new consortium of six international and Kenyan NGOs join forces to address needs for economic growth and resilience in five northern counties.

Polonsky et al. Conflict and Health 2013, 7:1 http://www.conflictandhealth.com/content/7/1/1

Jonathan A Polonsky, Axelle Ronsse1, Iza Ciglenecki, Monica Rull and Klaudia Porten

Abstract

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) through the Kenyans for Kenya Drought Initiative of 2011 identified parts of the Turkana County as one of the Regions that were going to gain from an early recovery initiatives that was aimed at opening up land to irrigation in Kaikor location, Turkana North District, targeting three villages with a total population of 15,398 people as a Disaster Risk Reduction aimed at building community resilience and enhancing food security. The community is predominantly pastoralists.

19/03/2013 – In February Internews’ Humanitarian Information Service in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camps began broadcasting a Somali language program on humanitarian issues. ‘Gargaar’ (‘Assistance’) is produced by local and refugee journalists and broadcast daily. Internews receives support from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) and USAID’s Office for Transitional Initiatives (OTI).

Humanitarian situation and needs

Key messages

• While the situation has improved in 2012 due to good rainfall and substantial aid, 1.1 million Kenyans are currently still in need of humanitarian assistance;

• The situation in Dabaab refugee camp, the biggest in the world, has been stable, but there are still gaps in the provision of adequate food and security;

Internews’ Humanitarian Information Service in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya launches ‘Gargaar’ (Assistance) – a daily Somali language program produced by local and refugee journalists.

Posted on Friday, March 1, 2013

When Somali journalist Shine Jamac was forced to flee his homeland in 2009, he first sought asylum in Ethiopia. It was not long before his profession began to cause him problems.

Prepared communities, fine-tuned development practice and effective finance can only go so far in building resilience: The Arid and Semi Arid Lands also need strong and effective leadership

Refugees who once fled to Kenya for safety claim extortion and threats rife since government ordered them to move to camps.

Read the full report on the Guardian.