Land Area: 569,250 (Sq/Km)
Capital: Nairobi
Official Language: Kiswahili
Refugees: 249,310 (UNHCR 2004)
Adult Literacy: 73.6% (UNDP 2006)
Under 5 Mortality Rate (per 1000 live births): 120 (UNICEF 2005)
KenyaSituation OverviewKenya suffers from drought, food shortages, limited infrastructure and a deteriorating economic situation. The country has experienced a steady influx of refugees (approximately 230,000) from its neighbouring countries, most of whom have escaped civil war in Somalia and Sudan. Kakuma Camp in the north-west of Kenya hosts more than 70,000 Sudanese refugees. These refugees fled to Kenya during two decades of civil war in Sudan, which ended in early 2005. The local people are often antagonistic towards the refugees, due to the competition over scarce resources. Sexual assault, exacerbated by a lack of security in the camps, is common. Although voluntary repatriation of refugees from Kakuma camp to southern Sudan has begun, outbreaks of violence by rebel groups are frequent, and the repatriation process is difficult. In December 2007, the political climate in Kenya destabilised following the election of Mwai Kibaki as President. Widespread violence between the supporters of Kibaki and Raila Odinga, the leader of the opposition, has left hundreds dead and 255,000 people internally displaced. Several hundred people have fled Kenya as refugees. |
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Our Current WorkAustcare is focusing on enhancing the self-reliance, security and psychological well-being of refugees in Kakuma Camp. To achieve this we are implementing activities that will provide income-generating opportunities and vocational training and enable refugees to produce food for sustenance and market. Refugees are being provided with vocational training in Government certified trades such as carpentry, metalwork, tailoring, masonry, plumbing and motor mechanics. The training is designed to provide the refugees with skills that they can use in the camp to earn money to buy food, clothing and necessities for their families. They are also skills that can be used to rebuild new lives in the future when a durable solution to their displacement is found. Incentives and outreach activities aim to promote increased participation of females in the courses. Women are actively encouraged to participate in the courses and female teachers facilitate some of the classes. This is of particular importance since cultural barriers and practical limitations make women a particularly marginalised and at risk group in the camp. Austcare works in collaboration with local partner organisation Don Bosco. We are working to help diversify the funding base of Don Bosco and up-skill their staff in order to increase the sustainability and impact of their work. Voluntary repatriation from Kakuma is taking place in difficult circumstances and we are committed to assisting the international community in its efforts. Austcare has a Protection Officer with UNHCR in Kakuma, to assist in planning and preparation for repatriation. You can read more about Austcare’s Protection Program, here. Highlights- 751 refugee and Turkana youth trained in 11 trades out of which 27% were females. The trades include carpentry, tailoring, computer studies, agriculture, and plumbing. 89% students sat at the National exams. - 82 students enrolled in advanced raining courses following completion of standard courses. - Four production units now operational in tailoring, carpentry, metalwork and agriculture. 43 young people (including 15 females) are employed in the four production units. - 25 Don Bosco staff trained in office management and gender issues. |
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