Handicap International steps up its actions in Kenya

Victims of drought and war, almost 400,000 people are currently living in disastrous conditions in Dadaab (Kenya), the world’s largest refugee camp. The situation has deteriorated rapidly since January 2011. Every week, 10,000 new refugees arrive at the camp. Working in Dadaab for nearly 15 years, Handicap International is mobilising its resources to help tens of thousands of persons with disabilities and vulnerable people survive in this particularly difficult situation. The association is currently performing an evaluation mission to assess the most urgent needs in order to meet the basic requirements of these refugees.

Handicap International has been active in Kenya since 1992 and Dadaab since 1997. The association is now present in three camps (Dagahaley, Hagedere and Ifo) and runs rehabilitation centres and orthopaedic-fitting workshops. A mobile team intervenes in each camp in aid of 120 families of persons with disabilities.

The organisation plans to send seven mobile teams to the area to promote access to water, food, sanitation and the rehabilitation centre for persons in difficulty. They provide emergency physiotherapy care and supply mobility aids, advice and essential psychological support.
More than 27,000 people are currently waiting to be registered. The heat and dehydration are unbearable for these people who are already exhausted after the long journey they have just made. Handicap International also plans to build shelters in front of the Ifo registration centre so that vulnerable persons can protect themselves from the sun and rest after their long journey.