* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Kakuma Refugee camp in north-western Kenya is now receiving 200 new arrivals daily. The camp, whose numbers dwindled a few years ago, now hosts almost 100,000 people and is expanding to accommodate the new refugees. With thirteen nationalities living in close proximity, Kakuma has become a touchstone for the state of the Central and Eastern African region- conflict and violence is escalating in many countries; the situation is deteriorating and the humanitarian needs remain high. The refugees tell their stories to the European Commission's Humanitarian aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO), who for the last twenty years has been providing humanitarian assistance to refugees worldwide.
Agal from Abyei in South Sudan
"There is fighting where I live; my husband was recently killed in the conflict. It took us three days to walk to Kakuma camp with my daughter and grand children who are aged 9 and 4. We do not know where her husband is; we lost him when we ran from Pariang, our village." EC/ECHO Malini Morzaria/ Anna Chudolinska
Hassan from Kismayo in Somalia
"My parents, sisters and brothers were all killed in our home – I found them dead when I returned from the market. I have no family, have lost contact with all my relatives who fled as well and I am 20 years old and not educated. I have come to the camp for help and hope to be educated so I have a future." EC/ECHO Malini Morzaria
Ali from Nuba Mountains in Sudan
"There has been nothing but killing in my State, we are caught between Sudan and South Sudan and neither side helps us. Unless there is real peace and freedom, I will not go back. I am disabled since childhood and it took me a long time to get to Kakuma." EC/ECHO Malini Morzaria/Anna Chudolinska
Zahara from Darfur in Sudan
"I have been in Kakuma camp since 2006 because of the war in Darfur. I came with my husband and two children and two more were born here. I cannot go back for fear of our lives; when and if there is peace, we would consider it. I miss the food – the rations are not what we are used to and there are few vegetables here." EC/ECHO Malini Morzaria/Anna Chudolinska
Daniel from South Sudan
"I have been in Kakuma since I was eight years old; orphaned at a young age, I was recruited as a child soldier and then rescued and bought to Kakuma in 1992. We are known as the lost Boys and there are 100 of us in the camp; we only know Kenya although South Sudan is my motherland. I did not return when there was an option; and now you see my people are coming back since there is no real peace. I want to be a pilot and I'm working hard to get money for university."
View more photos from ECHO at http://www.flickr.com/photos/69583224@N05/sets/72157630064719305/with/7186579319/
