WFP Funding Cuts Spark Deadly Protests in Kenyan Refugee Camps

Amidst a severe food crisis triggered by the withdrawal of US humanitarian funding, police opened fire on hungry refugees in northern Kenya, resulting in at least two reported deaths. The crisis has unfolded in Kenya's largest refugee camps, where more than 800,000 refugees rely on aid for survival. The World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to slash rations, leaving refugees struggling to access essential food supplies.

Key Takeaways:

• US funding withdrawal led to a 70% reduction in WFP's programme feeding refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab camps, forcing the WFP to slash rations to 30% of the minimum daily calories needed.
• The crisis is most acute at Kalobeyei, an experimental settlement within Kakuma, where over 70,000 refugees relied almost entirely on cash transfers, which stopped at the end of June.
• Protests erupted when refugees learned that the programme would resume, but only partially, with the most vulnerable receiving £3-£6 per month, while others would receive nothing.
• The protest turned violent, with demonstrators breaking down doors, attacking WFP staff with knives and stones, and setting fire to an empty warehouse; police subsequently opened fire, killing two people and wounding several others.
• The WFP is investigating the incident and has confirmed that a fire broke out at its storage facility in Kalobeyei Settlement.
• Hundreds of refugees gathered outside a WFP storage facility to denounce "differentiated assistance", leading to clashes with police.
• Witnesses reported seeing people injured and trapped inside the facility, with WFP staff escaping in vehicles.
• The crisis has led to rising malnutrition among refugees, with child and adult malnutrition increasing sharply due to ration cuts.

Statistics:

• Over 300,000 refugees are housed in Kakuma settlement.
• More than 800,000 refugees rely on aid in Kenyan refugee camps, including Kakuma and Dadaab.
• The US funded 70% of WFP's programme until January, when the State department halted contributions.
• WFP is currently able to provide only 30% of the minimum daily calories needed to keep refugees healthy.
• Over 70,000 refugees in Kalobeyei relied almost entirely on cash transfers, which stopped at the end of June.

Sources:

• The Telegraph
• Reuters
• AFP via Getty Images