40-year-old Daud Kusow uses a wheelchair to navigate the environment of Dadaab refugee camp. ©UNHCR/Mohamed Maalim
A story of resilience unfolds in the heart of one of the world’s largest refugee complexes. It is here, amidst the sprawling tents and makeshift homes of the Dadaab refugee camps, Garissa County, that Daud Kusow, a Somali refugee living with a physical disability, defies the odds every day.
“I was told many times that my disability would limit me,” Daud says, smiling as he makes his way through the narrow streets of Dagahaley refugee camp. “But I’ve learned that my strength lies in what I can do, not what I cannot.”
The 40-year-old uses a wheelchair to navigate the thick sands and mud puddles of the camp. His determination and infectious optimism make him a source of inspiration to all who meet him.
Daud always strived to adapt to the challenges of life in the camp. However, his situation worsened in the year 2000, when a sudden onset of sharp pain in his spine and lower back led to paralysis, forever altering his life. Once an active member of his community, Daud now depends on others for his daily needs.
“The abrupt change has been emotionally and physically draining but eventually I told myself that I must find ways to contribute to the community and inspire others”, he adds.
What could have been a story of despair became one of resilience as Daud turned his tragedy into a mission. Now a vocal advocate for disability inclusion, he fights tirelessly to ensure that refugees with disabilities are not left behind in the bustling, often overwhelming reality of camp life. Through his advocacy, he champions the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, inspiring hope and change in a community that often overlooks their struggles.
“Living with disability in Dadaab is not easy. It is challenging. People living with disability are not called by their names, but they are called using names associated with their disability. I am not an exception”, he laments.
“I use my skills to advocate for the rights of persons living with disabilities through awareness creation to change the perception of the community and to make them understand that people living with disability are equal community members.
Daud is surrounded by members of his family in Dadaab Refugee Camp ©UNHCR/Mohamed Maalim
Daud’s journey to Dadaab was fraught with challenges. Fleeing conflict in Somalia, his family endured treacherous travel through vast, arid landscapes under a scorching sun, bandits, and the ever-present threat of hunger and thirst.
“When the war broke out in Somalia, we had no choice but to leave,” recalls Daud. We came to Kenya to seek a better life”, he adds.
For refugees like Daud, living with a disability in the camp is a daily battle—access to basic services like water and sanitation is riddled with obstacles, and the scarcity of assistive devices magnifies their challenges.
“These wheelchairs donated by UNHCR and Humanity and Inclusion are our lifeline, but when they break, we often have to rely on each other for mobility. Some refugees do not have assistive devices such as wheelchairs and crutches”.
“At UNHCR, we recognize that persons with disabilities are not just part of the community but are critical to shaping inclusive solutions to our challenges. In Dadaab, our efforts are focused on creating environments where persons with disabilities can thrive, whether through accessible services, livelihood opportunities, or meaningful participation in community leadership”, Aba Menooso, Community-based Protection Officer with UNHCR.
Established in 1991 to accommodate refugees fleeing civil war in Somalia, the Dadaab refugee complex is currently home to over 408,000 refugees and asylum seekers.
Daud’s journey is far from over, but he dreams of a brighter future.
“I hope to see a world where people living with a disability not only survive but thrive, enjoying and living with equal rights,” he says.
For Daud and others like him, every step—no matter how difficult—is a stride toward breaking barriers and building a more inclusive society.
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