KENYA / SOMALI REFUGEES

STORY: KENYA / SOMALI REFUGEES
TRT: 4:12
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT UNHCR ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / SOMALI / NATS

DATELINE: OCTOBER 22, 2022, DADAAB, KENYA

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot, families of new arrivals in Dadaab
2. Wide shot, aerial, new makeshift structures in camp
3. SOUNDBITE (Somali) Khadija Ahmed Osman, Somali Asylum seeker:
“More and more people are on the way. When we came, we were many, even yesterday more people arrived. Life in Somalia is very difficult.”
4. Wide shot, people outside makeshift structure
5. Med shot, two boys talking next to tree
6. Wide shot, Tarpaulin being put on makeshift housing structure
7. Various shots, Khadija and her family
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Khadija Ahmed Osman, Somali Asylum seeker:
“I wanted to protect my young boys from being recruited by armed groups so I decided to come here.”
9. Wide shot, pit latrine being constructed
10. Med shot, man building structure
11. Med shot, cement on latrine
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Martha Kow-Donkor, Community-based Protection Officer, UNHCR:
“UNHCR has done a lot since we started receiving new arrivals, we provided water sanitation, we have schools where the children are able to attend schools. We have health facilities within the communities, and they are able to access health. Also, we work with WFP as a partner that provides our food assistance.”
13. Wide shot, aerial, Dadaab camp
14. Various shots, Hussein distributing items to new arrivals
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Hussien Ibrahim Mohamed, Somali Refugee:
“I came here in April 1992. I was among the first people who were settled in Dadaab. When we fled Somalia, about 70 percent of the people died.”
16. Close up, Hussein opening bag
17. Wide shot, Hussein distributing items
18. SOUNDBITE (English) Hussien Ibrahim Mohamed, Somali Refugee:
“These people are in a difficult situation, they have traveled very far. They live in a very dusty place. So, I took it upon myself to ask around for contributions either cash or clothes. I still have some of the money donated and I plan to buy plastic sheeting for new arrivals.”
19. Various shots, Hussein giving out items to new arrivals
20. SOUNDBITE (English) Martha Kow-Donkor, Community-based Protection Officer, UNHCR:
“We are only using the meager resources that we have for our regular programs to respond to this situation. So the need for funding is very high and we are appealing to the donors to provide more funding so that we can address the needs.”
21. Wide shot, UNHCR water truck at water point
22. Various shots, new arrivals collecting water
23. Med shot, child waiting for water

STORYLINE:

As drought grips the Horn of Africa region, tens of thousands of Somalis are crossing over into Kenya in search of water and food for their families.

According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), over 80,000 Somalis have arrived in Kenya in the past two years, fleeing a complex mix of conflict and drought.

Somali families escaping drought at home continue to cross the border into neighbouring Kenya as the Horn of Africa region faces its worst drought in 40 years.

Many who have already been forced to flee violence have been displaced yet again by the drought, brought on by four failed rainy seasons, with a fifth predicted. Globally, such extreme weather events are intensifying and becoming more frequent due to the climate crisis.

Nearly 1 million people are displaced in Somalia, over 80,000 Somalis have also arrived in Kenya in the past two years, fleeing a complex mix of conflict and drought.

Thirty-six-year-old Khadija Ahmed Osman fled Buale town with her eight children and arrived in Dadaab in October. Back at home she had to abandon her hotel business as most residents also fled the town because of the worsening drought.

Osman says she was also worried that her children could easily be recruited by armed groups.

In Dadaab, where Somali refugees have been living in camps for more than 30 years.
Hussien Ibrahim Mohamed, was among the first people settled in Dadaab in 1992. As a community worker he now helps new arrivals. Collecting donations for families in need of clothing and money for food.

More than 50,000 Somali refugees who have arrived in recent years are in dire need of support. UNHCR is providing basic assistance and supporting local Kenyans with the provision of water and other aid.

Kenya has provided international protection to refugees from across the region for more than three decades and currently hosts over half a million refugees and asylum-seekers.