from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Bureau
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – A FUNDING crisis is threatening the lives of thousands of refugees seeking sanctuary in Kenya.
This is threatening Kenya’s decades-long generosity in hosting refugees and the visionary policies that allow refugees to work and access health care, education and financial services.
On his first official visit as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Barham Salih has called for stronger global support to develop the solutions refugees need to rebuild their lives.
“The funding crisis is threatening lives and risks reversing the hard-won progress made,” he said.
The envoy thus urged development actors, international financial institutions, donors and the private sector to step up their support.
“These inclusive policies hold great promise for transforming the futures of both refugees and the communities hosting them.”
Salih was speaking in Nairobi after visiting Kakuma municipality in northern Kenya.
“Despite scarce resources, Kenya continues to show remarkable solidarity for people in need through smart policies that foster self-reliance and economic growth,” he said.
Over 800 000 refugees and asylum-seekers live in Kenya.
Some 300 000 refugees, mostly from South Sudan, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have found safety in Kakuma.
Last year, less than a quarter of UNHCR’s needs-based budget for Kenya was funded. Refugees and host communities face cuts to health care, water and education.
Protection services are being heavily reduced.
In Kenya, Salih met President William Ruto and other senior government officials.
– CAJ News