HIGHLIGHTS
As at 15 February 2016, Kakuma had received and registered 49,650 asylum seekers from South Sudan. This brings the total registered camp population to 186,865 with South Sudanese making up 50% (94,492) of the population.
IKEA Foundation, accompanied by UNHCR Private Sector Fundraising and Technical support staff based in Geneva, Amsterdam and Copenhagen visited Kakuma from 04 to 06 February. The team came to familiarize themselves with the new Kalobeyei settlement as well as other key livelihoods, energy, education and water projects in the camp.
They held discussions with partners on how to identify innovative and sustainable solutions in the development of the settlement for the benefit of both refugees and host communities. IKEA Foundation has raised over 30 million Euros through the Brighter Lives for Refugees project to provide light and renewable energy sources for refugee families. Kakuma and Kalobeyei will benefit from the project that will see 900 street lights and solar lanterns installed.
The head of DFID Kenya, Lisa Philips visited Kakuma on 08 February to see some of the programmes funded by the donor agency. She was accompanied by UNHCR Senior Programme Officer and WFP Kenya's Deputy Country Director. The mission was briefed on the Kakuma operation and the WFP Bamba Chakula (e-voucher cash transfer) project before meeting with refugee businessmen, girls in secondary school and health workers. DFID supports various programmes in child protection, education, health, livelihoods, food and nutrition. Philips reiterated DFID’s commitment to support innovative solutions that would enhance delivery of services while equally ensuring sustainable livelihoods and empowerment of refugees and the host community.
On 09 February, the Officer in Charge, Kakuma sub-office handed over furniture, computers and other ICT equipment to the Deputy SubCounty Commissioner, in the presence of the heads of the area security units (Kenya Police & Administrative Police).
This is part of the support that UNHCR extends to the police under the joint UNHCR and Government of Kenya Security Partnership Project (SPP). This partnership has brought significant improvement in security personnel capacity to deliver services.