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Desperation in Dadaab

Jane Turner has just returned from Dadaab in Kenya, the world's biggest refugee camp

Last week I was given the opportunity to visit the world’s largest refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya. Having been to Chad and witnessed the harsh conditions during the crisis in Dafur, I thought I would be well prepared. I have to say that I was really shocked by what I saw.

The landscape is barren, dead with drought, and now, unbelievably, it has been inundated with flood water. The place is pockmarked with stagnant swamps and mosquito infested ditches caused by the October rains.

This refugee camp is a safe place from the fighting, but in every other way it is a sad place. The huge influx of Somali refugees in recent months - almost 7,000 new arrivals every month - has seen a camp built to house 90,000 swell to try and shelter almost 300,000. The effect, despite all best efforts and the incredible work of relief teams, is that Dabaab appears to be not much more than an overcrowded rubbish tip. It is shocking.

Shelter is in the form of mud walled huts covered with scraps of UNHCR plastic sheeting, old cloth, and bits of tin. Waste and litter is strewn everywhere. There is nowhere to put it, and no means of taking it away. There are at least twenty people using each latrine. Water is only available at a pump twice a day, and once full, the jerry cans are so heavy that the children and women roll them home through the dirt and the mud. The water is subsequently contaminated and filthy, causing easily preventable diseases and diarrhoea.

With the threat of more torrential rains looming on the horizon, UNHCR is fighting to provide shelter and basic survival items to the recently arrived refugees, most of whom are women and children suffering from malnutrition and extreme trauma.

Every aspect of life is difficult in Dabaab. Almost half the total population living in the camp are youths, but only 48% are able to attend school due to lack of funds. One lovely young man told me that his dream was to become a lawyer, and one day go back and help rebuild Somalia. Another young girl spoke of her dreams of a career in science and mathematics. They showed so much optimism and courage in the face of constant hardship. The children that I met with have an incredible drive to learn and succeed. They are taught that “learning is power, and education is the key”. We must give them the opportunity to build a better future.