Dadaab — Publications

Posts tagged Dadaab

LMI: Pulling Together: Civil Society Organizations and Refugee Advocacy in Kenya

January 2025

Refugees in Kenya struggle to access basic services, freedoms and protections. Civil society organizations seeking to support refugees need to be persistent and willing to collaborate with a range of stakeholders—often through unconventional approaches. This case study explores how two Nairobi-based organisations, Kituo Cha Sheria and RefugePoint, played a pivotal role in safeguarding the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. Through their leadership in advocacy and innovative approaches, the two organisations’ prevented refugee evictions and secured refugees' access to essential health services. With resilience, creativity, and strategic thinking, they successfully navigated a complex political landscape fraught with public attitudes at odds with refugee rights.

The case study also offers insights into the broader role of civil society in strengthening refugee protections in Kenya. Recent developments, such as the Refugee Act of 2021 and the Shirika plan, provide an opportunity to enhance the legal framework for refugee protection in Kenya. Civil society leadership and activism play an important part in strengthening legal protection and ensuring access to essential services for refugees.

RefugePoint used its network of neighbourhood clinics and local government officials to increase refugee enrollment and address gaps in healthcare. By approaching Kenyan health authorities and arguing for closer cooperation they successfully advocated for the inclusion of refugees into the system. NGOs also stepped in when Kenyan authorities attempted to close the Dadaab camps and expel Somali refugees. A coalition of NGOs led by Kituo Cha Sheria (KITUO) and RefugePoint successfully petitioned the government to halt the measure. Strategic partnerships, such as relationships with UN agencies and other NGOs, knowledge of official channels, and persistence against bureaucratic and political obstacles, underpinned by a desire for results rather than recognition, were essential to their success.

Read full Case Study here.

Samuel HallJanuary 1, 2025Refugee, refugee advocacy, Kenya, civil society, RefugePoint, Refugee Act 2021, Refugee Act, Dadaab, Somali

DRC: Localisation of Protection Programming in Garissa & Turkana, Kenya

October 2024

Within the context of commitments to durable solutions, since the World Humanitarian Summit 2016 and the Grand Bargain, there have been increased calls for those who are closest to crises to have more control of resources, increased agency and greater decision-making powers. The process of “localisation” aims to create more equitable, power sharing and decision-making systems that support those in need of protection.

The protection of refugees in Kenya is a critical issue, Kenya is host to two of the largest refugee camps in the world – in Garissa and Turkana counties, known as Kenya’s marginalised counties in the arid and semiarid land regions. Localisation holds the potential to foster sustainability by enabling an environment where vulnerable communities, like those affected by displacement, are able to handle challenges, thereby promoting local ownership and strengthening self-protection capacities.

The study focuses on the localisation of protection programming in Garissa and Turkana counties – and seeks a deeper understanding of the opportunities available and entry points for engagement with local actors supporting refugees and host communities. The research seeks to map out localisation efforts in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, identifying entry points to new collaborations and engagement for more localised protection outcomes and draw out key information and recommendations from the challenges and lessons from international and local actors.

Read full report here

Samuel HallDecember 17, 2024Danish Refugee Council, garissa, Turukana, Dadaab, Kakuma, localisation, refugee camps

ILO/UNHCR - Doing Business in Dadaab

January 2019

Contrary to many popular perceptions, Dadaab is an area of opportunity with existing strengths that can be harnessed. This market systems analysis identifies these strengths as well as areas to build further, and provides the foundation for building opportunities to strengthen job creation and linkages between host and refugee communities as well as with private sector employers in Garissa county as well as with the capital.

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Resilience, East & Southern AfricaMaryam MeddinJanuary 28, 2019market systems analysis, Kenya, Dadaab, value chain analysis, economic development, economic, refugees, host communities, job creation, agricultural sector, waste management sector, ILO, UNHCR, labour market assessment

ReDSS - Devolution in Kenya: Opportunities for Transitional Solutions for Refugees

July 2015

This report examines the case studies of Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps while taking stock of the political and security context framing refugee affairs in Kenya.

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Migration & Displacement, East & Southern AfricaSamuel HallJuly 14, 2015Dadaab, Kakuma, Kenya, refugee camps, refugees, asylum, devolution, host communities, asylum solutions, transitional solutions, ReDSS, report, case study

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