News
Q&A on the flooding status of Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya
The flooding situation in Kenyan refugee camps has reached a critical level, severely impacting thousands of vulnerable residents. The floods have exacerbated the dire living conditions in these camps, leading to overcrowded shelters as families seek higher ground. Through a Q&A session with the fields team, here is an update on the situation at hand and interventions being undertaken by DRC and partners.
Q&A on The Flooding Status of Kakuma Refugee Camp with Patrick Wekesa, Team Leader, Child Protection, DRC Kakuma - Kenya
What is the current status of flooding in the refugee camps? How severe is the situation compared to previous years, if applicable?
Patrick Wekesa: 22 households have been displaced and are currently accommodated at Tarach Pre-School in Kakuma 1. UNHCR assessment through the Community-Based Unit further reveals that 30,000 refugees have been affected by the ongoing floods caused by heavy downpours.
Those affected are in dire need of core relief items including food, clothing, and shelter support. It is expected that alternative mitigation measures have to be explored considering the schools have reopened.
How has the flooding impacted the infrastructure within the camps, such as shelters, latrines, and water sources? Are there any immediate threats to the safety and well-being of the refugees and host communities? Are there any disease outbreaks reported?
Patrick Wekesa: Some roads have been rendered impassable in Kakuma 2 and Kakuma 3 though movement to the same places is accessible from the Kakuma 4 route.
Latrines are full to the brim and waste is overflowing to different places posing risks of spreading waterborne diseases. Some of the toilets have been demolished by the floods leaving them open and dangerous. There are no reports on disease outbreaks in Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and the entire Turkana West Sub County but there are high chances if the rains continue.
What measures are being taken by DRC and other humanitarian agencies to address the immediate needs of the affected population, such as providing shelter, food, and any other assistance?
Patrick Wekesa: Through UNHCR Community Based Unit conducted an internal assessment in Kakuma 1 where the majority of refugees were displaced, UNHCR has responded to the needs of those households who were relocated to Tarach Pre-school.
Child Protection case management assessments have identified 74 children across the Kakuma refugee camp who were affected by the floods and in dire need of emergency response services such as core relief and food items. Rapid assessment is expected to be conducted to capture the needs and risks of those affected by the floods in both Kakuma and Kalobeyei. DRC will take part in the rapid assessment exercise.
In the face of recurring floods, what long-term strategies should be considered to mitigate the impact of flooding on the refugee camps? Are there plans for infrastructure improvements or relocation efforts?
Patrick Wekesa: Long-term solutions will be determined after conducting a Rapid assessment study by a multifunction team consisting of different agency representatives to capture protection concerns and other needs of those affected.
How are different stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations, coordinating their efforts to respond to the flooding and support the affected refugees and host communities?
Patrick Wekesa: The majority of the agencies in Kakuma are part of the national WASH Sector Flood Emergency Coordination which shares updates from different partners taking part in emergency response.