Photo Essay: Two months food assistance distributed in anticipation of potential lockdown

By Baluu Wol Makuach – KANERE Staff Writer April, 2020

On April 2nd, KANERE correspondent Baluu Wol Makuach visited Food Distribution Point 1 to see how the World Food Programme (WFP) was delivering rations under the increased health precautions. To curb the spread of Covid-19 in Kakuma, WFP is distributing a double ration of two months of relief food to beneficiaries.

This is the first story published in KANERE’s Photo Essay series, told through images rather than a conventional written article.

Refugees wait to be screened by KK Security officers in the security queue outside Food Distribution Point 1. UNHCR, along with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), instituted precautionary health measures to be followed by refugees while coming to collect their food. This includes thermal screening, two-meter social distancing, hand-washing, and limiting the number of people present in the collection zone to fewer than ten. But outside, crowding put many people into close proximity to one another.

Covid-19 Myths in Kakuma

By KANERE Staff Writer, April 2020

Covid-19 has not yet reached Kakuma camp, but misinformation is spreading rapidly.

Given the lack of medical infrastructure in Kakuma, it is important that the community does its best to follow public health recommendations that can prevent the spread of the virus. However, misinformation leads people to undertake ineffective strategies, which can be a major waste of energy and resources. Moreover, misinformation may discourage them from following the official guidance of qualified health experts. Worse yet, rumors about how the disease is spread can cause stigmatization and even violence against certain groups.

Myths regarding Covid-19 and awareness intervention from WHO

Kenya’s black market in “refugee real estate”

By Cory Rodgers

The informal system of shelter ownership that has sprung up in refugee camps in Kenya and elsewhere has allowed entrepreneurial activity to flourish, but it is also unregulated and without formal legal protections, leaving some refugees vulnerable to losing everything.

Refugee man shot and wounded

By Okello and Shidad
A refugee man survived gunshots wounds in a night attack in Kakuma

Closure of refugee camps

The unlegislated closure of refugee camps is illegal under the Kenyan Refugees Act of 2011.

Refugee Verification Exercise

A unified refugee verification exercise in Kakuma was meant to collect refugees’ data

Kakuma fraud

By KANERE’s News Desk

Five UN staff indicted for fraud are airlifted to Nairobi for investigation.  

Letter from the Editor

Dear KANERE readers,

This issue remains true to our core principles of providing rich and informative content in a manner that is easy for our readers to understand.

First of all, we apologise for the long stretch over the year 2015 without any publication from KANERE, this has been due to the lack of funding for effective reporting and material support that should enable smooth operation of the organization.

In this edition, we bring diverse stories from across the camp and the region thus with rather a double edition. There are stories from as late as October where refugees seized an AK47 rifle from identified attackers in the camp. In one incident, a refugee woman was gang raped and several cases of gender based violence continue to happen in the camp. The situation of insecurity has continued to deteriorate all through the fall of the year.

Additionally, at least four people have died following the El Niño rains. Hundreds of families have been displaced within the camp settlements as a result of the flooding that often threatened the transport systems. Meanwhile the introduction of Bamba Chakula – an initiative by World Food Program – has earned a negative reaction from the beneficiaries of the food aid. We have collected the opinions of the camp residents on the new system of cash vouchers, allowing refugees to share information on the issues of public interest that affect their lives.

Our editorial contribution for this edition comes from Kathleen Agena, a humanitarian and social justice worker and the founder of the Lindus Institute. Kathleen advocates that a realist approach to refugee crisis should be adopted in tackling the refugee crisis globally.

There are several other stories that are lined up for you and we will keep reporting in spite of the challenges.

As the true voice of the refugees, KANERE is seeking financial support in order to continue to give right to be heard to Kakuma residents and in the region.

Your contribution and feedback is of great value to us.

Best wishes for 2016!

Sincerely,

Qaabata Boru

Editorial Executive – KANERE

Accident in Kakuma Three

A humanitarian vehicle involved in an accident killing a secondary school student.

Signing of peace deal

By Qaabata Boru – qaabata007@yahoo.com

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of warfare and yet the state has failed to manage its own administration in accordance with the rule of law. A series of violent outbreaks based on ethnic cleansing have been organized since December 2013.

Dilemma of new food distribution mechanism

The introduction of Bamba Chakula has resulted in vulnerable refugees who don’t have cell phones missing their cash vouchers.

Community Talking Point: Introduction of Bamba Chakula

KANERE talks to beneficiaries of food aid in Kakuma: