Conflict and Migration: The Case of Somali Refugees in Northeastern Kenya

Abstract

The Dadaab refugee camp was established in 1991 to accommodate Somali refugees fleeing the ongoing violence, environmental and social problems caused by civil war, famine, and drought. The camp is located in Garissa County in the Northeastern region of Kenya. Recent data indicate that the current population of Dadaab camp (463, 422) is more than five times the camp's recommended initial capacity of 90,000 people. This influx of refugees into Northeastern Kenya has stressed local resources within the region and requires careful negotiation between the host community residents and refugees. This study analyses this challenging situation through a human security lens, which seeks to encompass the social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental conditions necessary to support sustainable human well-being. The study also identifies the human security challenges facing the refugees and examines the factors influencing conflict between the host community residents and the refugees. Programmatic suggestions for sustainable solutions that empower both the host community residents and the refugees are discussed.

Health problems and utilization of health services among Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Bangladesh

“…The male FDMNs had issues mainly in relation to discrimination, lack of employment opportunity, physical/verbal abuse, and insecurity. These findings are similar to the findings of previous studies which reported the problems and issues among the refugees and illegal migrants [1,15,[24][25][26][27]. While women of refugee and asylum seeker background face several challenges to health care, a systematic review by Helen et al (2020) reported that the community based intervention approaches are possible and are promising in addressing the problems of women, mothers, neonates and children [28].…”

Examining power in protracted spaces: a feminist approach toward approach toward the elimination of refugee women's insecurity inside Dadaab

“…The most prevalent problem facing women in camps is GBV. GBV can occur from the threat of both strangers and family members and is a symptom of larger overarching issues within the camp that exacerbate women's safety, such as poor infrastructure and lack of security, to name a few (Kumssa, 2014). Consequently, GBV is not an isolated issue, despite the fact that it "remains largely under-reported and unrecognized among refugee … populations" (Vu et al, 2017).…”

“…The new and imposing structure within the camp that shifts power from the men of the family to the camp staff may be perceived as oppressive and threaten the man's sense of identity, thus potentially leading him to act out against the women in their communities. Another way women experience GBV in Dadaab is when they are required to fetch firewood and food rations in unsafe and far-off places (Kumssa, 2014). The UNHCR had not always provided the means for gathering firewood at a central locality within the complex grounds.…”

Far from Home, Far from Safe: State Violence against Unaccompanied Refugee Children Seeking Asylum in Kenya

“…Far from home, far from safe 7 lack the financial means to pay bribes (Yusef 2014) or simply because they are perceived as taking resources that should first go to Kenyan citizens (Kumssa et al 2014). As we undertook our research, we expected that refugee children residing in Nairobi would also tell of having experienced violence, including by state officials.…”