Conditions grow worse for Somali refugees in camps

Conditions in the Dadaab refugee complex in northeastern Kenya are worsening one year after thousands of Somali migrants flocked to the settlement, according to relief agencies, which include church-based organizations.

The world’s largest refugee camp is host to more than 500,000 migrants who fled conflict and famine, but many of them are without adequate shelter, water, sanitation, and health and security services, say the agencies.

“The supply of new water and sanitation services to 50,000 refugees is in danger. Without the only source of safe water and new latrines, the threat of cholera is greatly increased,” noted a briefing paper released July 12 by the Lutheran World Federation, Catholic Relief Service, CARE, the Danish Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee, Oxfam and Terre des Hommes.