BLOGS
Refugees in Dadaab being forced to go back to Somalia-Amnesty International
Somali refugees going about their business in Dadaab (courtesy)
By: @Abdirahman_khal
A research by Amnesty International has shown that Somali refugees are pressured to leave Dadaab camp and back to drought, insecurity and hunger in Somalia.
This has raised only two days after Fillipo Grandi, the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees, concluded his regional trip in Dadaab where he made a declaration that those being repatriated are being taken voluntarily.
Amensty international researchers , in a report termed, Not Time to Go Home, interviewed returnees who were living in over populated and insecure small pieces of land in Somalia.
The report shows, many returnees left Dadaab refugee camp because of declining food rationing, insecurity and fears stoked by Kenyan police officers.
“The Kenyan government has tried to make southern Somalia secure though many parts are still plagued by violence and even drought,” Head of refugees and Amnesty International, Mohamed Hussein told kulan Post on phone.
He said, refugees who fled hunger, drought and conflict are now forced to return amid the current severe humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
Thousands are now finding themselves back in similar state from which they fled some years back.
Of the half a million refugees in Kenya, 285,705 are Somalis who are residing in Dadaab Refugee camp that was established in 1991.
According to UNHCR records that dates 15th December, a total of 72,352 Somali refugees have forcefully been repatriated from Dadaab to Baidoa, Kismayu, Mogadishu, and other areas in Somalia. 17,791 more are set to leave this Month.
Amnesty International is now calling for integration of refugees in Kenya instead of pushing them to areas already facing humanitarian crisis.
“Returning the refugees to Somalia is not an option, Kenyan government should look for sustainable solution like offering opportunities for local integration within the country,” Mr. Mohamed said.
