Next Century Foundation Research Officer Saira Ghani delivers an oral intervention to the United Nations Human Rights Council 54th session. Saira addresses the United Nations in regard to the situation faced by refugees in Kenya.

Transcript:

The Dadaab Refugee Camp, situated in the north-east of the Republic of Kenya, is facing a dire crisis. It lacks an adequate food supply for its children. This is the world’s second-largest refugee camp, and hosts over 300,000 refugees. The camp is in an area prone to soil erosion and drought, worsening the struggle for sustenance. Hundreds arrive each day. They are mainly from Somalia, where violence and a severe drought have rendered life unbearable. The camp is overwhelmed, and living conditions are strained. The basic right to sufficient food for children is severely compromised due to insufficient funding.

The World Food Program is grappling with this funding shortage, which has resulted in reduced food rations for refugees – now at 60% of the daily nutritional requirements. Families lacking food aid cards, which can take months to process, resort to begging. Malnutrition amongst children has surged, with hospital admissions for severe acute malnutrition increasing drastically. Children are disproportionately affected. Urgent action is imperative.

The Next Century Foundation urges donor countries including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the nations of the European Union, and most importantly, the United States of America, to close the funding gap. The World Food Program urgently requires 45 million dollars to meet minimum food needs for refugees over the next six months. Additionally, we ask the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Save the Children, and Oxfam to try to do more to contribute. Timely financial commitments are vital to prevent further malnutrition among children in this critical situation.

Thank you.