Deteriorating conditions of hosting refugees: A case study of the Dadaab complex in Kenya

Abstract

This study describes the deteriorating conditions of hosting refugees at three camps (Ifo, Hagadera, and Dagahaley, popularly known as the Dadaab complex) that have been hosting refugees in the semi-arid northeastern part of Kenya since 1991. Local people generally perceive refugees in negative terms for various reasons. First, they feel that refugees are more economically advantaged due to the assistance they receive from aid agencies and their ownership of various businesses at the three camps, which enables them to lead better lives. Competition for the scarce resources in the impoverished semi-arid area between the two groups has also fuelled the locals' dislike for the refugees. Socially, hosting fatigue has developed due to the protracted refugee situation at Dadaab, which is compounded by a large refugee population that is commonly associated with public insecurity. I conclude that in order to foster coexistence between the two groups, humanitarian agencies must incorporate locals more in direct aid programs such as provision of food rations, as well as reduce the high numbers of refugees in order to minimize insecurity and support the meager local resources.