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U.S. Ambassador Ranneberger Visits Dadaab Refugee Camp

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Ambassador  Michael E. Ranneberger
Nairobi, 19 November 2008 – Today, United States Ambassador to Kenya Michael E. Ranneberger will visit Dadaab Refugee Camp to express appreciation for Kenya’s continued role in providing support to asylum seekers fleeing Somalia, and to review the current conditions in the camp.  Ambassador Ranneberger is concerned by reports that overcrowded conditions, increasing numbers of refugees, and inadequate land resources could lead to a humanitarian crisis in the camp.

The United States appreciates Kenya’s efforts to care for the refugees in Dadaab. The U.S. Government also understands that Kenya needs to ensure the security of citizens in North Eastern Province and control its borders.  As a contracting party to the 1969 OAU Convention on Refugees, however, Kenya is obligated to allow Somalis to cross the border to seek asylum. 

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Despite the border closure, over 55,000 new refugees have entered Kenya since January 2008.  A reception center for orderly registration and medical and security screenings is urgently needed to provide protection to the Kenyan host population and for the refugees in the camp.  Ambassador Ranneberger urges the Government of Kenya to re-open and authorize expansion of the Liboi Reception Center near the Somali border to meet the needs of new asylum seekers.

The overwhelming congestion of the Dadaab Camps presents a humanitarian emergency and threatens a health and security crisis that could spill over and affect Kenyan citizens. Construction of new camps is long overdue.  Ambassador Ranneberger would like to commend the efforts of the host community in Fafi district as they have sought to secure additional land for the settlement of Somali refugees.  The Ambassador strongly urges Kenya to take all necessary steps to finalize the allocation of this land for new camps to accommodate new refugees and ease their suffering.

The U.S. Government this year provided $25 million dollars (KSh 2 billion) towards refugee assistance programs in Kenya.  Ambassador Ranneberger would like to assure the residents of Dadaab and the Kenyan Government that the US Government stands prepared to request emergency funding to assist UNHCR and NGOs in preparing Liboi Reception Center for full operations and for the construction of new camps. We remain committed to supporting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to refugees in Kenya.

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