Governor Jama Urges Action on Innovative Job Programs for Dadaab Refugees

Garissa County Governor, Nathif Jama, advocated for the expansion of the PROSPECTS Partnership Program during the launch of its second phase in Nairobi.

The PROSPECTS initiative, a collaborative effort between UNHCR, UNICEF, IFC, ILO, and the World Bank, has been instrumental in fostering development in Garissa and Turkana counties, as well as in urban areas across Kenya.

Governor Jama speaking on Thursday said the necessity of amplifying the program’s impact within Garissa County itself. He noted that its effects were more pronounced in Kakuma and Kalobeyei in Turkana County than in the Dadaab complex.

Governor Jama’s call for heightened focus on Garissa County comes as PROSPECTS 2.0 receives an additional $50 million investment from the Government of the Netherlands.

The infusion of funds will facilitate concentrated efforts in four key areas: education and learning, economic inclusion, child protection, and social protection, along with the development of critical infrastructure.

UNHCR and the International Labor Organization (ILO) have been supporting initiatives on the Promotion, Inclusion and Protection of Refugees in the Gig Economy project.

Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands through its PROSPECTS Opportunity Fund, this project aims to provide refugees and hosting communities with safer and more dignified access to digitally enabled livelihoods.

In eight countries across Africa and the Middle East, the UNHCR and ILO are partnering to advocate for evidence-based policy solutions, enhance stakeholder capacity, and test innovative approaches to promote employment opportunities and rights for digital workers among displaced populations and host communities.

Their collaborative efforts aim to empower individuals to engage in the digital economy, fostering sustainable livelihoods and economic resilience in the face of displacement and statelessness.

Key stakeholders present at the launch included Mr. Keith Hansen, the World Bank Kenya Country Director; Ms. Amena Arif, IFC Country Manager; Ms. Caroline van Buren, UNHCR Kenya Country Representative; Ms. Shaheen Nilofer, UNICEF Kenya Country Representative; and Dr. John Erus, Deputy Governor of Turkana County.

Also in attendance were Ambassador Maarten Brouwer from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Amb. (Prof) Julius K. Bitok, CBS, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services.

Governor Nathif Jama’s pleaded for the expansion of the PROSPECTS Program in Garissa County reflects a steadfast commitment to fostering inclusive development and improving the livelihoods of both refugees and host communities in Kenya.

Dadaab, located in Garissa County, Kenya, stands as one of the largest refugee complexes in the world, hosting thousands of displaced individuals who have fled conflict, persecution, and environmental disasters from neighboring countries, primarily Somalia.

Established in the early 1990s, the Dadaab complex comprises several camps, including Hagadera, Dagahaley, and Ifo, providing shelter, albeit temporary, to a population that has swelled beyond its initial capacity.

Despite being intended as a temporary refuge, many individuals have spent years, and even decades, within the confines of Dadaab, their lives indefinitely suspended in a state of uncertainty.

The camps, originally designed to accommodate tens of thousands, now accommodate hundreds of thousands, straining resources and infrastructure to their limits.

Life within the camps is characterized by numerous challenges. Limited access to basic necessities such as clean water, adequate food, and healthcare services remains a pressing concern.

Education opportunities are also limited, with overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of qualified teachers hindering the educational development of refugee children.

The protracted nature of displacement has taken a toll on the mental health and well-being of many refugees, with trauma, depression, and anxiety prevalent among the population.

Despite these hardships, the resilience and resourcefulness of refugees in Dadaab are evident as they strive to rebuild their lives and maintain a sense of dignity and hope amidst adversity.

International humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and various non-governmental organizations, play a critical role in providing assistance and support to refugees in Dadaab.

Their efforts focus on delivering essential services, promoting self-reliance through livelihood programs, and advocating for durable solutions to the refugee crisis.

Efforts to address the challenges faced by refugees in Dadaab require sustained collaboration and investment from the international community, as well as the commitment of the Kenyan government.

While the ultimate goal remains the safe and voluntary return of refugees to their countries of origin or the attainment of alternative durable solutions, in the interim, ensuring the well-being and rights of those residing in Dadaab must remain a priority.