The Largest Refugee Complex in the World: Dadaad

Dadaab Refugee Camps in Northeastern Kenya pose a critical question for the international community: How does it treat a humanitarian emergency that does not go away?

There are nearly 300,000 refugees in Dadaab, Kenya (composed of 3 refugee camps: Ifo, Hagadera and Dagahaley with a 4th camp currently under construction), making it the largest refugee complex in the world, with 6,000 third-generation refugees according to the United Nations.

Humanitarian officials say building schools and hospitals is the best way to protect refugees, but donors are hesitant to finance projects that will encourage more refugees to come and stay.  The impasse has left Dadaab understaffed and overcrowded. Half of its youth — who make up more than half of all refugees — are out of school and easy targets for militia recruiters.

Refugees queuing for registration with UNHCR

The use of child soldiers has become a major aspect of Somalia’s seemingly inextricable conflict, and the country’s transitional government, which is supported by the United States, has a history of using children in combat.  In 2009, the Kenyan government was accused of supporting recruitment drives among refugees from the camps to fight in Somalia’s army.  Al Shabab, the most prolific rebel group in Somalia, also recruits in the camp and United Nations employees have been approached to serve as go-betweens by Shabab agents.  Somalia’s notorious piracy networks have also been known to visit the camps.  


(New York Times)