U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, visits UNHCR Kenya
NAIROBI, 4 May 2015 (UNHCR) – US Secretary of State, John Kerry, visited UNHCR Representation Office in Kenya, accompanied by a delegation of senior officials from the US Government.
Mr. Kerry expressed his utmost appreciation and respect for the work done by UNHCR in Kenya. The Representative, Mr. Raouf Mazou, in turn conveyed UNHCR’s gratitude to Mr. Kerry for the US Government’s continued support to refugee operations in Kenya.
The Secretary of State met with refugee leaders from the Dadaab refugee camps who discussed their challenges, concerns and aspirations with the visiting delegation.
Mr. Kerry assured the refugees that the United States Government, as part of the international community, hears and understands their concerns, and would like to ensure that refugees continue to be protected, and that those who choose to return home voluntarily do so in conditions of safety and dignity.
He held a discussion on Skype with students of Tawakal Secondary School in Dagahaley one of the five refugee camps in the Dadaab complex. Mr. Kerry thanked the students for talking to him and sharing their thoughts about their concerns and future.
![John Kerry](https://www.unhcr.org/ke/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/John-Kerry-966x631.jpg)
John Kerry Skypes with students of Tawakal Secondary School in Dagahaley one of the five refugee camps in the Dadaab complex
19 year old Mohamed Adow Ahmed, a refugee from Somalia, who has lived in Dadaab for the past nine years said, in response to a question from Mr. Kerry, “The biggest challenges are security and the forceful repatriation issues that the Kenyan government announced recently. If we are taken back in this way, our future is in a dilemma.”
Mr. Kerry also heard the testimony of Fatuma Farah Abdi a 15 year old Somali refugee girl who was born in Dadaab and has lived all her life as a refugee. “I study so many subjects like business, chemistry, history, biology and so many others. I want to study to be a doctor. If I get peace I will go back to Somalia,” Fatuma told Secretary Kerry.
To which Mr. Kerry responded, “You will need the skills that you got now. It’s very valuable to be doing what you are doing. What we need to do is try figure out how to provide more education opportunities beyond where you are now.”
Mr. Kerry told the students, “I have great respect for what you are trying to do (getting an education) under very difficult circumstances. I am here today to learn more about the difficulties and challenges you are facing and how you think we can help make a difference. I really respect that you are at school; you are trying to learn.”
By Marco Lembo, UNHCR Nairobi
Page 1 of 2
-
Australian mission visits Kakuma camp and Kalobeyei Settlement
31 Jul 2017Kakuma and Kalobeyei (UNHCR) – The Assistant Secretary of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Gita Kamath, and Second Secretary (Somalia/Humanitarian) of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Niamh Dobson, visited Kakuma refugee camp and Kalobeyei integrated settlement to familiarize with UNHCR and WFP activities in […]
-
UNHCR Kakuma Operation hosts Ms Annelies Withhofs from IKEA Foundation
1 Jul 20171 July 2017 – UNHCR Kakuma operation hosted a two-day mission by Ms. Annelies Withhofs from IKEA Foundation. Ms. Annelies was accompanied by the UNHCR’s Assistant Representative (Programme), colleagues from UNHCR Private Sector Partnership Office in Copenhagen and UNHCR Branch Office in Nairobi. The purpose of the visit was a […]
-
Deputy Director for Africa Bureau, Ms Angele Dikongue-Atangana visits Kakuma
28 Jun 201728 June 2017 – UNHCR Kakuma Sub-Office hosted a one-day familiarisation visit by the Deputy Director for Africa Bureau, Ms Angele Dikongue-Atangana. Ms Angele, who was accompanied by the Deputy Country Representative Mr Wella Kouyou, had a brief meeting with the Camp Manager. Ms Angele delivered a message from the […]
-
German Ambassador to Kenya Her Excellency Jutta Frasch Visits Kakuma
14 Jun 2017KAKUMA, Kenya – UNHCR Kakuma Sub-Office hosted a one-day familiarization visit by the German Ambassador to Kenya Her Excellency Jutta Frasch. Accompanied by UNHCR Assistant Representative (Programmes) Ms. Ivana Unluova, the Ambassador paid a courtesy call to the Deputy County Commissioner for Turkana West Sub County where she met with […]
-
Being a member of the LGBTI community does not exclude you from being part of a family
18 May 2017UNHCR Assistant Representative – Protection Catherine Hamon Sharpe on protection of LGBTI refugees.
-
World Refugee Day
8 May 2017 -
Tenders
9 Jun 2016Tenders for UNHCR in Kenya are posted on this page.
-
Artists for Refugees Project
18 May 2016UNHCR Kenya initiated the ‘Artists for Refugees’ project in 2015, with the support of two renowned Kenyan artists.
-
Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kristian Jensen, visits Kakuma Refugee Camp
17 May 2016KAKUMA, 16 December 2015 – The Minister was on his first visit to the camp and was accompanied by a delegation comprised of officials from the Danish Government including an Ambassador and Under-Secretary for Global Politics and Security. The Minister paid a courtesy call to the Sub-County Commissioner’s office before […]
-
Videos
17 May 2016UNHCR Kenya Anti-Fraud Film ‘The Truth has no Hiding Place’ Resettlement is an important durable solution for tens of thousands of refugees annually. Fraud, including individual fraud and larger scale criminal enterprises, serves to undermine and even threaten this important durable solution. Fraud has far reaching negative impact that cast […]