Kakuma Refugee Camp

19 Aug 2012

Drive to Lokichoggio, Kenya, site of the Kakuma Refugee Camp.

Kakuma was developed in 1992 in response to the need of the refugees of the genocide in Sudan; the “Lost Boys of Sudan”. It grew further as a result on the conflicts in Rwanda and later in Somalia. At its peak, the population was 100,000. Today it’s at 50,000. The UN managed camp is divided into sections based upon nationalities. The camp is a city to itself now, with a variety of businesses and retail operations managed by the refugees. The UN still continues to supply food to each section, as well as security and first aid.

A wide-wide variety of shelter construction has developed in the camp, far past the original UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) tents that were provided for the Lost Boys. A lot of the UNHCR’s materials can still be found though throughout the camp used for a variety of purposes (roof covering, wall fabric & interior partitions).

 

We had lunch in a small restaurant in the Ethiopian Section of the Camp. A true experience of life in the camp.

Efforts continue to resettle the refugees back to their home countries as soon as practical.