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UNHCR Dadaab Update 07/14, 16 - 30 April 2014

Attachments

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Armed attack and attempted kidnaping

On Wednesday, 23rd April at about 0820hrs, a convoy of vehicles carrying humanitarian staff, including from UNHCR was attacked by unknown gunmen whilst waiting for departure procedures outside the Hagadera Camp UNHCR Field Offices. The gunmen approached one of the UNHCR vehicles in the convoy in which two UNHCR Staff Members were seated.

The UNHCR national staff member who was seated in the driver's seat was shot and wounded. The international staff who was seated rear left immediately jumped out but was caught and roughed up to force her back to the car. The attackers later left her unharmed and drove off with the vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered by the police about 30km southeast of Dadaab.

Following the attack, humanitarian operations in the camps temporarily suspended except lifesaving services until the Wednesday 29th April. The incident has been assessed as an attempted kidnapping.
The perpetrators of the incident are not yet known and no one has claimed responsibility.

Vehicles handover to Region Police Commander

In an effort to improve the security of refugees in the camps and enhance their protection, UNHCR handed-over four vehicles to the Kenyan Administration Police operating in the five refugee camps in Dadaab.

The handover took place during an event at UNHCR Sub Office Dadaab on Wednesday, 30th April.

UNHCR’s Country Representative in Kenya, Mr. Raouf Mazou, officially handed-over the keys of the four-wheel drive vehicles to Mr. Henry K. Barmao, the Region Police Commander for North Eastern Kenya. During the event, officials from both UNHCR and the Administration Police committed to enhance their cooperation to provide better security to refugees and to protect their human rights.