Britian gives $2.94 mln to support Somali refugees in Kenya

Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) announced it will provide two million pounds (about 2.94 million U.S. dollars) to The UN refugee agency UNHCR towards its work supporting Somali refugees and asylum seekers at the Dadaab refugee camps in northeast Kenya.

A statement from the DFID Kenya and Somalia office said on Thursday that the funding will be used to help meet gaps in shelter, emergency health and nutrition, water and sanitation, education and protection in the refugee camps.

Although Somalia has recently made some political progress towards improved security within the country, continuing instability and violence means many Somalis continue to seek refuge in neighboring countries, notably Kenya.

"When I visited Dadaab in February this year, it was clear that UNHCR required more assistance to address the additional needs resulting from increased numbers of refugees. Since then we have been in discussion with UNHCR to provide direct funding and I am delighted we have announced it today," said DFID Regional Humanitarian Adviser, Simon Mansfield.

Established 17 years ago after an initial influx of Somali refugees, the Dabaab refugee camps have recently experienced a dramatic increase, making them among the largest in the world, with over 250,000 residents.

Services were designed for a much smaller population and now residents are facing increased risks to their lives and wellbeing because of the congested conditions.

This is the first time DFID has supplemented that through direct support since 2006.

The statement said Britain said it will also continue to press the government of Kenya to open its border with Somalia which was closed in early 2007 and to grant asylum to genuine refugees from Somalia.

While calling for this, the country underlines its support for Kenyan efforts to ensure the security of its borders, and will continue to offer assistance to improve border operations, building on its recent program to develop capacity on border security with the Administration Police.

Source: Xinhua