About Kakuma Refugee Camp
Source National Geographic
Geography
Kakuma Refugee Camp is located in Turkana District of the northwestern region of Kenya, 120 kilometers from Lodwar District Headquarters and 95 kilometers from the Lokichoggio Kenya-Sudan border. (Indicated by a black dot on the map.)
Population Kakuma Refugee Camp serves refugees who have been forcibly displaced from their home countries due to war or persecution. It was established in 1992 to serve Sudanese refugees, and has since expanded to serve refugees from Somalia, Ethiopia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Uganda, and Rwanda. According to current UNHCR statistics, the camp population stands at just under 50,000 refugees. In 2007, Kakuma Refugee Camp hosted 21% of the total refugee population in Kenya (UNHCR Fact Sheet, September 2008).
The local Kenyan population is largely comprised of nomadic pastoralists from the Turkana community. According to the 1999 Kenya Census, the population of Kakuma town is 97,114 persons, making it nearly twice as populous as the camp.
Humanitarian Aid and Governance Kakuma Refugee Camp is administered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR is assisted in its duties by a wide range of organizations, including World Food Program (WFP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Lutheran World Federation (LWF), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Windle Trust Kenya (WTK), Film Aid International, and Salesians of Don Bosco in Kenya.
The camp falls under the jurisdiction of the Kenyan Government and the Department of Refugee Affairs. Since the adoption of the Kenya Refugee Act in 2007, a Camp Manager has been appointed to oversee camp affairs and liaison with humanitarian agencies. The Act paves the way for the Kenyan Government to eventually assume full management of Kakuma Refugee Camp.
Environment Life in the semi-arid desert environment of Kakuma is rather challenging. The area has always been full of problems: dust storms, high temperatures, poisonous spiders, snakes, and scorpions, outbreaks of malaria, cholera, and other hardships. The average daytime temperature is 40 degrees Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Economy Due to their legal situation and local environmental conditions, refugees are largely unable to support themselves with income-generating activities. The semi-arid climate of Kakuma is ill-suited to agriculture, while restrictions on employment deter refugee job-seeking. Those who work with NGOs receive a small incentive payment for their work, but incentive staff represent only a fraction of the refugee population. As Arafat Jamal concludes from his evaluation of Kakuma camp, “Anyone confined to a place like Kakuma is rendered automatically dependent on some form of hand-out” (2000, p. 23).
Daily Existence The camp is a “small city” of thatched roof huts, tents, and mud abodes. Living inside the camp is equally prison and exile. Once admitted, refugees do not have freedom to move about the country but are required to obtain Movement Passes from the UNHCR and Kenyan Government. “Essentially, the refugees are confined to the Kakuma camp area: they are not allowed to move freely outside of it, and they may not seek education or employment outside of it” (Jamal 2000, pp. 7-8). Inside this small city at the edge of the desert, children age into adulthood and hope fades to resignation. To be quite frank, it’s more or less a kind of hostage life for many refugees.
Sources Cited
Jamal, Arafat (2000). Minimum standards and essential needs in a protracted refugee situation: A review of the UNHCR programme in Kakuma, Kenya. UNHCR Evaluation and Policy Unit/2000/05.
UNHCR Fact Sheet, September 2008. UNHCR Branch Office Nairobi.
Dear All,
this is a wonderful initiative and the site looks fantastic. I wish you every succes in this venture.
best wishes
Liza Schuster
Department of Sociology
City University
Northampton Square
London
EC1V 0HB
What is the typical view of non-refugee Kenyans upon Kakuma?
It is difficult to provide a comprehensive response to this excellent query. Generally speaking, Kenyans living in other areas of Kenya a) have never heard of Kakuma Camp; b) have heard of it but assume it is located in Sudan; or c) know the camp as the “place for lots of refugees.” Those who are well aware of the situation consider Kakuma to be a difficult place to live, for both refugees and locals. Some Kenyans view refugee camps as a danger to national security. Others view camps as worthy humanitarian endeavors. Interestingly, many NGO and UNHCR staff working in Kakuma Refugee Camp look upon Kakuma as an extreme hardship zone and eagerly await placement to new (urban) job locations. This despite their lavish living conditions as compared to refugees.
Excerpt from “Cleats of many nations now tread Georgia [U.S.] clay” on The Global Game: “Some say, simply, that they come from Africa. Abdirahmam Osman, 10, was born in Somalia, yet many of his memories originate in Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwestern Kenya…The Kakuma Camp’s own blog includes cartoons and interviews about refugee life and describes the institutions that emerge in confinement. ‘Living inside the camp is equally prison and exile,’ say the blog’s editors. ‘Inside this small city at the edge of the desert, children age into adulthood and hope fades to resignation. To be quite frank, it’s more or less a kind of hostage life for many refugees.’”
My name is Vincent Alvaro, I am an MD in Hartford CT. Tonight as I was on duty in the ED at Hartford Hospital, I was asked to see a woman at the triage desk who was in tears. She said that her niece is in a Refuge camp in Kenya and was diagnosed with Malaria. she has no meds and no way to get back to a hospital. I don’t know any more details about her illness
She is in refugee camp KAKUMA 1 or 3. Her ID # is 14369.
Her name is either Siffora or Daniat.
Dr. Alvaro, Thank you for your notification. I’m copying this comment to UNHCR Protection Unit and Lutheran World Federation to see whether they can assist immediately. We’ll also notify LWF caseworkers and see whether they can assist her.
thank you for you prompt reply and offer to help. I will let the woman know that help is being sought.
Hello, my name is Joylina Gonzalez. I currently have a client that is facing the death penalty and is a “Lost Boy” We are trying to find out if there is someone in the camp who can help us look for potential family members or find a way to go to the camp. I have no idea how to even look into getting authorization to visit the camp.
Thank you
Thank you for contacting us. Regarding family tracing, I advise that you contact UNHCR Protection Unit in Kakuma. The UNHCR lawyers charged with refugee protection should be happy to assist you. (I am forwarding your comment to the concerned officers now.) Regarding a visit to Kakuma Camp, the Kenyan Government regularly approves visitors’ requests to travel to the camp. Contact the Department of Refugee Affairs in Nairobi, or the Camp Manager in Kakuma Refugee Camp (kakumacampmanager@yahoo.com).
I real have to appreciate the kenyan gvt for all the effort that is layed across, because kakuma as its name is!! for a mojority of lives being kept in it for as long as many years i could imagin how servival of people goes. i have been in kakuma and i do cry i) hot place over 40 degree ii) people have no way of supporting themselves apart from dep[ending under the UNHCR. I suggest for those who leaved many years in the camp should be given alternative to relieve them from the suffering i mean give the refugee a go ahead of how to struggle themselve that is like chancing them (reffuge) for things like third world. otherwise all what i can summerise is to thank the kenyan gvt. i urge the gvt to look into the side of protection too, due to the attacks that comes all the time. despite being com com life. (jungle life style servive that is plusing kids,women, men and older wazee )
My appreciation goes to the un protection office of their effort forward on cases that where long pending.
On the isue of school to the young youth in the kakuma camp and locals should be given chance for schools.
having attacks in the community of refugee of kakuma is all because youth where behind the scene.
but let me brain storm UNHCR, Camp manager and agencies incharge to think forward. i will too write to the media of canada about kakuma camp.
Hello. My name is Petter Gustafsson and I am studying Peace, Conflict and International Relations at a university in Sweden. In our masterprogram we have the possibility to go away one semester for an internship. Now, I wonder if you think it is possibli to come to Kakuma for my intership, and if you know any NGOs who would be interested in an intern?
/ Petter
thank you very much the Kenyan government for the protection you rendered to the non-Kenyans in kakuma refugee camp situated at the northern part of kenya. i was once a refugee before i came here to Sudan and through my eye-witness, i saw some of the basic things the Kenyan Government do. one is the security which was so good although some unconrolable situations were not handled properly, this was just minor.
the camp by its self is not fit for human live but it was made due to the concern of humanity and the protection of the abandoned. thank you UNHCR, thank you Kenya, Asante sana, your government in collaboration with the UNHCR did well to us those who left kenya and those who are still in Kenya. keep on providing the same services to them. i am now working as the SPLM State IT, this is all as a result of acedemic concern and the computer training services offered by the Salesian of Don Bosco in Kakuma. i call this dry area, a home to me and others.
ewak silvio siro
I met my fellow Sudanese in Torit a big town in Eastern Equatoria state who told me how we had spent with him 13 years in Kakuma Refugee Camp. this friend of mine asked if I could go back with him for a visit to the Camp for three or two month which i said I was not ready because i am commited in my job. i would like to know from the protection office in Kakuma if the camp is still good and if the UNHCR is still issuing ration cards to the new comers? this was the question lingering in my head.
this boy had gone back to th camp.
Hello everyone,
My name is Daniet Gebrekidane and I am a student at the university of Alberta here in Edmonton,AB,Canada.I have read lots of books and articles concerning the situation in kakuma Refugee Camp and I would just like to encourage all of you workers,volunteers, and assistants to keep going.I personally know the experience of being a refugee and so I am deeply humbled by your hospitality. Here in Canada, some of the refugee youth that have come from Kakuma Camp are doing extremley well. They are educating themselves and also working hard to support themselves and their fellow people there. I would just like to say May God give you the strength and patience you need because you so deserve it. I am planning on coming there as a volunteer maybe around summer of 2010 and woud welcome any ideas you have on what the fundemental issues of those refugees are. Thank you for your support,and God bless.
Hello,
My name is Nadar Ali and I am student at University of Minnesota. I have heard alot of about Kakuma refugee camp. I would like to come there as volunteer for the summer. What should I do? Any help will be highly appreciated. Thank you.
I have just read Dave Eggers book “What is the What” and seen the movie “God Grew
Tired of Us”. Some unanswered questions are — why are these Sudanese not allowed
to leave Kakuma ? How can they receive training for jobs which they can use outside
the camp, perhaps back in Sudan ? How were the Lost Boys chosen for immigration
to the U.S. – what were the criteria for who left and who had to remain ? Why are
there so few women – where are they ?
Most importantly – for those still in Kenya, how do we best help them to help
themselves ?
Thanks for providing info which I have not (yet) found elsewhere.
Are there still many Somali Bantu families in Dadaab or have most of them now relocated to Kakuma? What are the percentages of ethnic Somalis and Somali Bantus in the camps in Kenya?
I live in the U.S. (Maine and Boston) and know many Somali and Somali Bantu families who were in a variety of camps, but I was wondering what the demographics of each camp is today. I am studying to be a nurse and hope to come to Kakuma or Dadaab someday to work.
Please add me to your mailing list if you can, I am a big fan of the work you do on this website.
mahadsanid,
carolyn
Hello everyone!!
Well, My name’s Qeys aka Dj Kay-z, somalian born musician from Cape Town, South Africa, Studies in Cape College. I’ve never been to KAKUMA refugee camp and I’ve heard that KAKUMA is world largest refugee camp is like a prison, is that true if anyone come out from the camp will be kill by “TURKANA” sniperz is that true??. I like to volunteers in Kakuma and visit one day. Insha-allah.
Peace
Dj Kay-z
Hello Qeys aka Dj Kay-Z,
Am sorry you have negative perception of the Kakuma Refugee Camp, its environs and the inhabitants.
May i take this opportunity to inform you that, the Turkana community, mostly referred to as the Host are the most calm, peaceful, friendly and welcoming people one would ever wish to be associated with in this world.
Never be cheated that they kill.
Hallo i am a student of Makerere university awaiting for my graduation in December i did a bachelor in Community psychology.I have learnt alot especially on refugees.I have visited Kakuma before with a church organisation where we did some activities such as building church,distributing food and clothes,counseling.I got alot of interest in working with refugees please is it possible to get a chance as a volunter.Thanks in advance
[...] A few years ago (when I lived in Kenya), I went on a mission trip to a refugee camp in Kakuma, in Turkana in Northern Kenya. I will never forget the time I spent there and the people I met. [...]
kindly Kakuma is the blessed home /place for some people to live in ,
but some time God say no to life ,
this is me mr Nyambura Nyombe with his school mate miss YOM Chagi Atem at LATROBE UNIVERSITY AUSTRAILA ,
my dear student in Austraila make life simple and open to people to seen and that is real you and plz never for get the past ,
keep it up ,
with GOD ,
NYAMBURA NYOMBE
kenya is the best home for some people but to me is like the loan desk registering to know and get the skilled only and that is all may God blessed Kenya BUT no in people mind and God said for those with the eye can see and for those with the ear can hear ,
look and grt get lost with kakuma life ,
make it big man ,
and THANKS NYAMBURA NYOMBE DAN
values but not stress in kenya and this is only to very fews people and the social structures is depend on what you seen kindly adopt and indicate whomyou wish to ,
and thannks nyambura nyombe
people need some help! even if is only loving them because they are in hard situations but proffesionals are wasting time doing different things/jobs For instance,I am a community development profesiional form Kenya, working in security field in Qatar for bigger pay say Ksh 60,000 per month. But still my heart is not contented. I dont need this money when my proffesion is not helping my fellow Africans at Kakuma. can somebody help me work with this vulnerable people.
thanks to the UN and its implementing agencies for the job well done in Kakuma refugee camp for the last 20 and so years. the word of congratulations will remain a blessing to you all.
you have been shaping the mind of the young refugee children to become responsible citizens in their countries when peace is restored in their respective countries. you have also taken our africans young people to go and study overseas, which will give africa a big pride after ripping the the fruits of the young in the near future to come.
thanks you very much.
Hello everyone,im a refugee boy now living in Nairobi but my family is based in kakuma.i study form 4 at Eastleigh high school,and i just wish oneday i will join my friends who r in Australia via UN resettlements programme
Hi there all,
I was a refugee once in Kakuma between 1992-1996 all this years I have lived in Kakuma, I have a mixed memories. the good thing in Kakuma all refugees are mostly help each other, with the different organization in Kakum some time there is not transpancies in this organazations. I have worked with LWF as well as Randa Barnen. Both of they are not to good at all. If there were there to help the Refugees,… they have not been doing thier job on timly maner. people were deying because of hunger I am the leaving witness, a mother died while she brest feed her child. This happened inforont of the office of UNHCR and all this other organizations, we should not let any one die because of hunger at leaset we could do better than that. However it happened and I will never forget that moment me as a refugee…
Am a community health worker,and i respect every refugee since iwe live with some in our home,i thank the UN for their good job,and God Bless them,am in kenya and would like to work or even visit kakuma.
Hello everyone
my name is Ahmed Hassan and I am student at curtin university of technology in australia . I have heard alot of about Kakuma refugee camp but i never been to there i wish wanted to be there once in my life. as i am studing laporatory medice and I would like to come there as volunteer or work there in my all life. What should I do? Any help will be highly appreciated and advice from UN my email is bin_rahman@hotmail.com. Thank you.
[...] KAKUMA, Northern Kenya – They shuffle aimlessly in the dust: 50,000 refugees crammed into thousands of huts made from branches, leaves, mud and plastic in the Kakuma camp in Northern Kenya. [...]
[...] 50,000 refugees crammed into thousands of huts made from branches, leaves, mud and plastic in the Kakuma camp in Northern Kenya. Natives of Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, the refugees have fled wars [...]
[...] 50,000 refugees crammed into thousands of huts made from branches, leaves, mud and plastic in the Kakuma camp in Northern Kenya. Natives of Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, the refugees have fled wars [...]
hi you i have born in kakuma refugee camp and if you ever say some think bad about kk i`m gonna kick you ass
does anyone know what the UNHCR postal address in kakuma refugee camp is???? i urgently need them please if someone know or where i can send an application form? my mum is in kakuma and i have not seen her since i was six years old and would like to try and send her a form ave humanitarian process. i’m currently in australia and i hate life as i am alone and only 18yrs old
thanks for your reply. i got the address and will start my process soon. i just hopes its work so i can see my family again. i’m so alone here and i never knew if you have no family the wjole community picks on you and this is what is happening to me here my own people see me as a no one becuase i dnt have family here. i love kakuma i grow up there and i will always remember it and is planing to go back and do some volunteery work and lend a helping hand after mum moves here so i can have less presure in being the main provider for them.
anyway is application process easy in kakuma or niarobi and what happen or where are people move if they are grounded a protection???
life’s hard for mum alone and very unsafe so if she in any case get a protection from australian government while her form is being process does that help in any way???
if anyone works with immagration in kakuma or niarobi can you please send me your phone number or email ave my email as i have alot of questions and help to ask for and how i should go about things etc.
thanks to all people working and droping in on this website, you all rock my world and i’m pround of you all and would love to work with you team voluntery one day.
lots of love from me and misises from me- xxoxoxoxxoxoxxoxoxx mwah
Thanks You people for helping my fellow sudanese in kakuma.
Iit is now their initiative to implement the peace agreement so far signed in Kenya.
Thanks you people for rising the hands of my fellow sudanese in kakuma Refugees camp.
It is now their initiative to implement the peace agreement so far signed in Kenya.
[...] construct the school. But while the money came all the way from Hollywood, the girls came from the Kakuma refugee camp a couple of miles [...]
[...] construct the school. But while the money came all the way from Hollywood, the girls came from the Kakuma refugee camp a couple of miles away. VIDEO: Girls get a chance to learn at Kenyan school At the [...]
hi everyone my name is Ahmed Hassan i am citizen in australia and i got one family in kamuma could any one please give me an advise on how i can help and bring my family live with me i would realy be happy even if the staff of kakuma contacts me please its urgent!!!
after all thanks to the UN and its implementing agencies for the job well done in Kakuma refugee camp for thepast years. the word of congratulations will remain a blessing to you all.
any advise highly welcome my email is
bin_rahman@hotmail.com
My visit to Kakuma opened my eyes not only to the suffring that refugees are subjected to, but more significantly to the resilience of the human spirit. There is something to be learnt from this melting pot of African cultures. No wonder they call it a university.
Hello there, am Lawrence once a refugee in Kakuma, a multinational camp with diversed cultures. A camp where one gets to learn a lot from others. The only things a dislike of the camp are night roberies, huge, black deadly scorpions and dust storms otherwise, it is a good place especially to some of us who were working and earning some thing little in our pockets. Big thanks to my LWF and other agencies like IOM, IRC, WFP etc.
Hello there, am Lawrence, once a refugee in Kakuma, a multinational camp with diversed cultures. This is a camp where one either meets and or lives with different people from the great lakes region and above all international staff. The only things i dislike of the camp are night shootings and robberies, huge black deadly scorpions and dust storms. Some of us who volunteered as staff enjoyed though with some thing little for our pockets. Big thanks to my LWF and other humanitarian agencies like IRC, WFP, IOM etc.
My name is Christopher Boone and I sponsor many Lost Boys of Sudan in Louisville, Kentucky. My 6 year old grandaughter wants to send her stuffed toys to children in Kukuma, where our “boys” came from. We assume there are young children in the Camp. Can someone tell me a name and address to send these toys to? My grandaughter would be most happy to send her toys to a child who has no toys. Thank you and Peace to you.
Am Sudanese by nationality and I dislike some in southern Sudan especially among the dinka notwithstanding being pure dinka,why is girl- child education undermined ,is it because they are marry hence looked at materialistically rather than human being who need education like boys?
The is a need to get out from traditional ideology that girls are only born to marry and bring wealthy to their parents but any old adage states that education girl is educating the world.
In Twic county only 2% of students are girls half of this drop out in the course.
Koch madut Koch
From Wunrook Payam
Hello: I am a writer who visited Kakuma in 1994. A library had just been built there, and I remember that it had very few books at the time. Does anyone know the status of that library now? Is it in need of new books? If so, who would I contact or send them to? If you have a name, e-mail or postal address, I would be quite grateful.
Fast to dreams for without dreams is like bird without wing for it can not fly.
have a rays of hope in ever aspect of life because God is without you and have plan for you.
Suffering is not the end of live and hence fellow Sudanese in diaspora you have great future in Sudan if you are not enemy to pen.Long live Sudanese Long live Africa