From war to hopelessness - Daadab, Kenya
2009-10-26The Somali conflict continues to deteriorate. The present situation is the worst since the beginning of the civil war in 1991. Years of fighting, plight and extreme weather conditions have made half the Somali population dependent on food aid, forcing thousands to leave. Over 6000 Somalis cross the border to Kenya each month. In north-eastern Kenya, about 100 kilometres from Somalia, you find the biggest refugee camps in the world. 300 000 people live there, in camps built for 90 000. Kenya does not want to see any camp expansions. Water systems and sanitation are about to collapse. Many refugees have lived in Kenya for 18 years, children are born in the camps. They cannot, however, integrate in Kenya. At the same time they have given up the hope of return, only dreaming of resettlement in a third country. That is as likely as winning the lottery. Last year the world received 8500 quota refugees from Dadaab - just slightly above the amount that arrives each month. Text by: Anna Roxvall
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