Noella Kabale, a Congolese refugee, exhibits crafts at Sarit Centre in Nairobi on World Refugee Day. The crafts are produced by refugee artisans in Uganda. ©UNHCR/Charity Nzomo
Today, on World Refugee Day, we recognize the courage and strength of refugees in Kenya and around the world. Forced to leave everything behind, we celebrate refugees’ cultural diversity and commend the solidarity by governments and host communities.
On this important day, we aspire “for a world where refugees are welcomed”. With more than 120 million people now forcibly displaced from their homes around the world, solidarity and long-term solutions are needed.
Kenya is now hosting more than 774,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, many of whom have been living in the country for more than three decades, and 80% of them are women and children. UNHCR works with the Government of Kenya and a range of partners to provide protection and assistance in both refugee camps and in urban settings.
“Today we can reflect and appreciate the spirit of generosity of the Kenyan Government and the people of Kenya. For more than three decades they have welcomed refugees and are now pioneering new approaches which will lead to self-reliance and inclusion, benefitting both refugees and the communities so warmly hosting them.” UNHCR Country Representative, Caroline Van Buren.
On this World Refugee Day, we applaud the Government of Kenya’s commitment to transform refugee camps into integrated settlements and appreciate the meeting of National Steering Committee of the Shirika Plan, earlier this morning, which has adopted the draft Shirika Plan. The Shirika Plan is the Government of Kenya’s pioneering approach to refugee management, which aims to transition from subsistence programming towards resilience and socioeconomic inclusion for refugees and host communities. We recognize Kenya as a warm host – keeping borders and hearts open to people in need of international protection.
In Dadaab refugee camp, Garissa County, UNHCR, the Department of Refugee Services and key partners hosted a market day, showcasing products of refugee-led businesses. Tree planting activities and cultural performances also brought the refugee, host and humanitarian community together.
Whilst in the Kakuma Municipality, Turkana County, a solidarity walk, tree planting and a celebratory event took place which included participation from refugees, members of the Turkana host community and the Government of Kenya to recognize the compassion shown toward refugees since 1992.
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