HIGHLIGHTS
On 3 rd September, the incoming Somali Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Gamal Mohamed Hassan, visited Dadaab refugee camps and met with various refugee representatives including women, youth and refugee leaders. He was accompanied by senior Kenyan government officials and the UNHCR Representative in Kenya. During their conversations with refugee representatives, the visitors underlined that return to Somalia was based on free choice and guaranteed support to those who have decided to return to their home country. The Somali Ambassador reaffirmed the commitment of the Somali Government to end violence and bring peace to the war torn country.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is preparing for the introduction of electronic cash transfers with support from UNHCR. The new initiative is dubbed Bamba Chakul (“get your food”) and will convert 10% of distributed cereal rations into food vouchers. Bamba Chakula is a form of restricted cash transfer. The money is sent through a mobile phone and can only be redeemed for food. WFP and UNHCR plan to provide SIM cards to all heads of households in Dadaab camps during food distributions in October 2015.
The Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation, Ms. Isabella Lövin, visited Dadaab camps on 8th September. The Minister was accompanied by a high level delegation from the Governments of Sweden and Kenya as well as UNHCR Country Representatives for Kenya and Somalia. Ms. Lövin and the delegation met the refugee leaders and visited Ifo and Ifo 2 camps. They discussed durable solutions and humanitarian services in the camps as well as Sweden’s continued support to refugees in Kenya and in other parts of the world. The Minister also spoke with families who have decided to voluntarily return to Somalia and asked them about their aspirations once they are back in their home country.