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Appeal
Kenya
Response to South Sudan refugee arrivals in Kenya – KEN141
Appeal Target: US$ 2,123,291
Less pledges/contributions: US$ 208,873
Balance Requested: US$ 1,914,508
Geneva, 3 February 2014
During the last months of 2013 there was a growing tension within the South Sudanese ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). President Salva Kiir reorganized his entire cabinet in July, including the dismissal of his Vice President, Riek Machar. On the evening of the 15th of December 2013, violence erupted in Juba when Mr. Kiir accused Mr. Machar of staging a coup.
Since then about 650,000 people have been internally displaced (UN OCHA) and another 125,000 have fled South Sudan seeking refuge in the neighbouring countries of Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. An unknown number of people have been killed; most estimates are more than 10,000’. The violence killings have in many places been ethnically based with clashes between Dinka and Nuer tribes.
The UN's Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Simonovic, said when concluding a short visit to South Sudan that "The reports that we have come across involve mass killings, extrajudicial killings, widespread destruction and looting, and child soldier recruitment." He also reported rape, kidnappings, arbitrary detention.
A ceasefire agreement has been signed between the Government and the opposition on January 23rd, the agreement includes a commitment to halt fighting. The ceasefire specifically highlight that both sides must "refrain” from attacking civilians, carrying out summary executions and using child soldiers. It also commits both sides to an ‘all-inclusive dialogue’ and national reconciliation. The implementation of the agreement has been shaky and the ceasefire is fragile. Clashes have continued in several places, and people continue to flee from the country.
ACT members in Kenya continue to meet and coordinate, and to coordinate with UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR in Kakuma. The contingency plan for UNHCR is for 30-50,000 refugees expected in Kenya. LWF and NCCK Kakuma programs together with the UN and other partners in Kakuma have agreed to initially prepare for an influx of 20,000 refugees during the first quarter of 2014. By end of January about 14,000 refugees have already arrived. In case more than 20,000 refugees arrive, the appeal will be revised.
The overall goal of the response in Kenya is to receive and support arriving refugees at Kakuma refugee camp and at the border point of Nadapal. LWF is responding in Child Protection, Reception Center Management, Water and Emergency Education while the NCCK is focusing on shelter. Both LWF and NCCK have long standing agreements as implementing partners of the UNHCR and is part of the coordination of the response at Kakuma.
A majority of the people being displaced are children, often traumatized by violence and many times separated or unaccompanied. On arrival at Kakuma refugee camp they are supported by the ACT members, LWF and NCCK, who provide for basic needs like non-food items, shelter, water, care for the children through child protection activities and emergency education.
For the full appeal document, please click here.
