Refugees1
US nonprofit warns against ‘warehousing’ refugees
A US non-profit is warning against ‘warehousing’ refugees by keeping them in camps for ages, saying it prevents host countries from utilising the talent of those fleeing wars and other forms of danger.
Eskinder Negash, President and CEO of the the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), has warned that encampment of refugees is both illegal and inhumane, and keeps refugees in a cycle of despair.
His organisation is an international, nongovernmental, nonprofit organisation that works worldwide to protect the rights and meet the needs of people in forced or voluntary migration. It was founded in the US in 1911, but now operates in several countries, including Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.
Over the years, however, some of the countries around the world have stuck refugees in camps for ages, making this group to balloon from the first generation of arrivals to through the third. Kenya’s refugee camps of Dadaab and Kakuma, for example, opening in the 1990s, following conflicts in Somalia, the Sudan and other countries including Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They still host nationalities from these countries, pooling a total of over 700,000, including those in urban areas in Kenya.
But Eskinder says the idea of encampment has proven futile, not just in Kenya but in other places where refugees were forced into one place and their movement restricted.
“For 15 years, we have been advocating for out-of-camp policies. The reason we do that is that, in the Refugee Convention of 1951, camps are not mentioned there. Camps are by design temporary, not permanent,” he told NTV in an interview on Thursday, on the occasion to mark the World Refugee Day.
“But as you see in Sudan, we have camps since 1967/68, we have Dadaab (in Kenya) since 1991, Kakuma which started with a few refugees now is becoming its own city with about 270-278,000. The idea of warehousing refugees for that long doesn’t seem to be very humane. Refugee warehousing is dehumanising. There is no future…it doesn’t seem to be a good policy for human beings,” he said.
The Committee itself has helped resettle about 370,000 refugees to third countries around the world since 1980s. It is now focused on helping mainly unaccompanied children. But with the numbers of the displaced rising (a recent UN Refugee agency report said the number of forcibly displaced people reached 143 million in 2023), local solutions should be encouraged.
In Kenya, the government announced on Thursday that it will be granting special status IDs to refugees to enable them move around freely, seek jobs, start businesses of seek education. The programme to be officially launched in November targets the 700,000 refugees on Kenyan soil, but mostly encamped in Dadaab or Kakuma.
Known as Shirika Plan, it will be implemented over a four-year period but will initially need about $943 million (Ksh115.6 billion) for the first phase that involves turning the camps into municipalities, issuing IDs to refugees and providing certain amenities in those camps that would now be formal towns. The Kenyan government and local county administrations, UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and various NGOs will jointly implement the programme.
“This money will come from different partners and donors, including governments and the private sector. It will be channeled not only through the government but also through international NGOs, county governments, ministries, and departments such as the Ministry of Lands,” said Julius Bitok, Kenya’s Immigration Principal Secretary at a ceremony to mark the World Refugee Day, in Turkana county on Thursday.
The World Bank and other donors have offered to finance the project with tighter conditions, including adequate treatment of refugees. But the project itself is a big turnaround for Kenya which had for years wanted to shut down the refugee centres ostensibly to deal with insecurity. The programme could offer a win-win solution, as long as it gets regular funding.
The USCRI, meanwhile, sees end of camps as a good solution that should be supported.
“These are not criminals. These are people who came to Kenya or any other country because they had a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. They didn’t choose to be refugees,” Eskinder said.
“The solution is, as the UNHCR, the international organisation for refugees recognises, is there is a lot of discussion for out-of-camp policies. And I think that is what we have been pushing.
“If you look at every country, the US or any other country, refugees bring a lot of talent and they added a lot of value to their economy. Refugees have never been a burden to the society.”
Eskinder argued that freedom for refugees doesn’t necessarily mean forcing host countries to give them citizenship. But there can be local arrangements to ease their movements and access to jobs.
“It is not a Kenya, Somalia issue. It is an African issue so the African Union needs to think about how to utilise refugee talents. Confining them in an open prison is not a good strategy.
“They don’t necessarily have to become citizens of any country unless the country wants them to be citizens. But from a human perspective, how many refugees have been doctors and engineers? A lot?”
Meanwhile, the Committee criticised the UK government for sticking to sending refugees to Rwanda under the guise of easing a burden on itself and discouraging refugees from going to the UK.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, himself a son of an immigrant from Kenya, has insisted the programme will save the UK a security burden.
“I think it is very sad because the UK has been very generous in bringing in some refugees.”
“If the Prime Minister thinks refugees are a burden and we are going to save money by not having them, it says something that these refugees have been dependent on the government and taxpayers’ money which is not the case.”
“If you are a refugee in the UK and have the right to work, they actually contribute to the taxes.”
“It is just like looking at them as commodities.”
“He is actually a good example that refugees have never been a burden. He is a son of an immigrant.
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.