Lexi Webster
Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya has been home to hundreds of thousands of refugees since 1992. The camp was initially established to accommodate refugees from Sudan but has since expanded to include refugees from other neighbouring countries, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia. While the exact number of refugees resettled from Kakuma to Australia is unknown, we do know that Australia is one of the countries that refugees are resettled to from Kenya. Refugees from Kakuma depart from Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to their countries of destination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of establishment | 1992 |
| Location | Kakuma town, Turkana County, Kenya |
| Administering authority | UNHCR Sub-Office Kakuma |
| Number of refugees (as of May 2016) | 192,218 |
| Number of refugees (as of December 2020) | 200,000 |
| Number of refugees (undated) | 300,000 |
| Countries of origin | Sudan, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda |
| Countries of resettlement | Australia, United States, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands |
| Support services | Training sessions, pre-departure orientation, health assessments, cultural orientation, travel assistance |
| Notable residents | Nhial Deng |
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What You'll Learn
Kakuma Refugee Camp is in Kenya
Kakuma Refugee Camp is located in the northwestern region of Kenya and was established in 1992 to accommodate refugees from Sudan. Kakuma is divided into four areas: Kakuma 1, 2, 3, and 4. The camp has since expanded to host refugees from other countries, including South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Uganda, and Rwanda. As of December 2020, the camp hosted around 200,000 people, mostly long-term refugees from the civil war in South Sudan.
The camp is managed by the Kenyan government and the Kenyan Department of Refugee Affairs in conjunction with the UNHCR. UNICEF also provides vital aid and protection to vulnerable children at the camp, and IOM Kenya assists in resettling refugees by providing safe and dignified travel from Kenya to their final destinations, including Australia.
Refugees from Kakuma depart by air or road to Nairobi, where they undergo a final pre-departure health assessment and receive cultural orientation. They are then brought to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for their onward flights to countries like Australia. IOM staff assists departing refugees with airport procedures and ensures all necessary documents are in order.
Life in Kakuma Refugee Camp is challenging, with issues such as malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and malaria. There are also concerns about a lack of transparency and timely assistance from organizations supporting the camp. Despite these challenges, the camp's residents are grateful for the opportunity to seek refuge in Kenya, and some have shared their positive and negative memories of their time there.
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Refugees are resettled via government-sponsored and family reunification programs
Kakuma Refugee Camp, located in Kenya, has been home to hundreds of thousands of refugees since its establishment in 1992. The camp was initially set up to accommodate refugees fleeing from Sudan but has since expanded to include those from other neighbouring countries such as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and more.
Refugees in Kakuma often face challenging living conditions, including malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and a lack of adequate shelter and education. Many rely solely on food rations provided by aid organizations like the UN's World Food Programme (WFP). However, recent funding cuts have resulted in reduced rations, causing further hardship.
For those seeking to leave Kakuma, resettlement programs offer a pathway to a new life in third countries. Refugees are resettled via government-sponsored and family reunification programs to countries like Australia, the primary focus of this discussion.
Australia is among the nations that have opened their doors to refugees from Kakuma, providing them with the opportunity to rebuild their lives in a new homeland. The process of resettlement involves several steps, ensuring that refugees are prepared and equipped for their new lives. Training sessions are conducted at the Kakuma Refugee Camp to orient refugees towards life in Australia, addressing cultural, social, and practical aspects of resettlement. These sessions are vital in easing the transition and helping refugees overcome the trauma of their past experiences.
Once the necessary documents are in order, refugees depart Kakuma by air or road, heading to a transit center in Nairobi. Here, they undergo final health assessments and receive additional cultural orientation. After a brief period of rest, they proceed to the airport and embark on their journey to Australia.
Upon arrival in Australia, refugees are assisted by organizations like the International Organization for Migration (IOM). IOM works closely with the Australian government and other receiving countries to establish timelines for refugee arrivals and coordinate travel arrangements. They also provide support and assistance to refugees as they navigate the challenges of settling into a new culture and society.
The journey from Kakuma to Australia signifies a transformative phase for refugees. It represents a chance to heal, to pursue dreams and aspirations, and to build a brighter future. While the process of resettlement is complex and emotionally charged, the opportunity for a new beginning offers hope and the prospect of a life free from the turmoil that led them to seek refuge in the first place.
While specific data on the number of people resettled from Kakuma to Australia was not readily available, it is evident that Australia has played a significant role in welcoming and supporting refugees through government-sponsored and family reunification programs.
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Refugees receive pre-departure orientation and health assessments
Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya was established in 1992 to accommodate refugees from Sudan. However, it has since expanded to host refugees from other neighbouring countries, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia, among others. As of May 2016, the camp hosted 192,218 refugees. While the exact number of refugees from the Kakuma camp resettled in Australia is unknown, we do know that Australia is one of the countries that refugees are resettled in through government-sponsored and family reunification programs.
Refugees departing from Kenya to Australia receive pre-departure orientation sessions conducted at the Refugee Camps in Dadaab and Kakuma, as well as in Nairobi. These sessions are usually 3 to 5 days long and are conducted in collaboration with the Youth Enterprise Development Fund in the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Refugees also receive a final pre-departure health assessment and additional cultural orientation classes in Nairobi.
The pre-departure health assessment serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it determines fitness to fly and provides pre-departure interventions such as a symptom review, second-dose MMR vaccination, and empirical treatment of parasites. Malaria testing and treatment are also provided in malaria-endemic locations. Secondly, the health assessment identifies any significant medical conditions that may require follow-up and monitoring in Australia. For example, refugees with health issues such as hepatitis or inactive tuberculosis are required to sign a Health Undertaking, agreeing to report to the Health Undertaking Service and follow up with their respective state or territory health authority in Australia.
The health assessment also helps develop a detailed history and undertake a physical examination to identify immediate and long-term healthcare needs and initiate treatment. This includes introducing refugees to preventative healthcare in Australia, such as immunisation, maternal and child healthcare, and breast and cervical screening. Additionally, the assessment helps facilitate the integration of refugees through disease detection and management, providing useful data on the medical condition of incoming refugees.
Upon arrival in Australia, refugees have access to further health assessments and services. Doctors can check a patient's eligibility for the health assessment by telephoning Medicare Australia with the patient and their Medicare card present. These health assessments are voluntary and apply to refugees and humanitarian entrants who are residents in Australia with access to Medicare services.
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Kakuma was established in 1992 for refugees from Sudan
Kakuma Refugee Camp was established in 1992 in Kenya, near the border with South Sudan and adjacent to Lake Turkana. The camp was initially set up to accommodate refugees from Sudan, specifically the "Lost Boys of Sudan," a group of young Sudanese refugees who were later resettled in the United States. However, it later expanded to include refugees from other neighbouring countries, such as Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
The camp is divided into four areas: Kakuma 1, 2, 3, and 4, and it has been described as a “small city” of thatched-roof huts, tents, and mud abodes. Refugees living in Kakuma face significant challenges, including restrictions on their movement and limited access to education and employment opportunities. They are dependent on aid and handouts, and the semi-arid climate of the region makes agriculture difficult. Malnutrition, communicable diseases, and malaria are prevalent issues in the camp.
Despite these challenges, refugees in Kakuma have established their own community with schools, training centres, and a “court” system. Some refugees have also started working with NGOs and receiving incentive payments for their work. Various organisations, such as FilmAid Kenya, provide key messages and support in areas like protection, education, health, and sanitation.
Refugees from Kakuma have been resettled in various countries, including Australia. Training sessions are conducted for refugees resettling in Australia, and the IOM Kenya Operations Unit assists in providing safe and dignified travel to their final destinations. However, specific numbers or statistics regarding how many people from Kakuma have been resettled in Australia are not readily available.
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The camp has expanded to include refugees from other countries
Kakuma Refugee Camp is located in the remote northwest of Kenya, in the second poorest region of the country. The camp was established in 1992 to accommodate unaccompanied minors who had fled the war in Sudan and refugees from camps in Ethiopia. However, over the years, the camp has expanded to include refugees from other countries, driven by conflict, persecution, food insecurity, and the impacts of climate change, such as drought and floods.
The current population of the Kakuma Refugee Camp includes over 300,000 women, children, and men, with the majority originating from Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda. The camp is divided into four areas: Kakuma 1, 2, 3, and 4, and it is managed by the Kenyan government and the Kenyan Department of Refugee Affairs in conjunction with the UNHCR.
The expansion of the camp to include refugees from other countries has led to an increase in the overall population, resulting in the establishment of the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement in 2016. This settlement, comprising three villages (Village 1, 2, and 3), was created to decongest the main Kakuma camp and promote socio-economic integration with the local community.
As the camp population grew, so did the need for various services and support systems. The ministries of United Refugee and Host Churches (URHC) work extensively within the camp, providing spiritual support and connecting refugee churches in Kakuma with the larger church community. Additionally, they care for the most vulnerable people in the region and support the Kakuma Interdenominational School of Mission (KISOM) with theological training.
The camp also provides educational opportunities for its residents, with Windle International Kenya offering high school scholarships to girls from the refugee camp and the host community. Furthermore, pre-departure orientation sessions are conducted for refugees resettling in countries like Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. These sessions provide essential information and cultural orientation to ease the transition to their new homes.
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