NAIROBI, Kenya — Police clashed with protesters at the Kakuma refugee camp, leaving at least four people injured by gunfire.
Thousands of refugees, who fled conflicts and drought from countries like South Sudan, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Congo, took to the streets on Monday. Their main demand? An end to food rationing caused by lack of funding.
The World Food Program (WFP), responsible for food distribution at the camp, has warned that rations are down to just 45 percent of what is needed. This shortage is due to ongoing funding challenges.
For years, the WFP has highlighted its struggle with decreasing contributions from donor countries. Recently, they announced the closure of their office in South Africa, a direct result of cuts in foreign aid.
During the protests, John Garang, a refugee from South Sudan, showcased a 4-liter pot. He explained it’s used to measure out beans, oil, and rice – the limited provisions meant to last for a month. “Is this really enough?” he asked, raising concerns about the adequacy of the food supply.
Kenya is working on a new approach to support refugees. Instead of relying solely on camps, the country is moving towards integrated settlements. Kakuma and Dadaab have been designated as municipalities, aiming to provide a better future for refugees.
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Source linkPolitics, Droughts, Protests and demonstrations, World news, General news, Article, 119415585
