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Rapid Response Fund Payment Request No. 06/2013
Funds Sent To: The Lutheran World Federation
Amount Sent: USD 60,000
Date: 17th June 2013
Details of Response
Emergency: Assistance to new arrivals at the Kakuma refugee camp.
Date of Emergency: June 2013
ACT Requesting Member: The Lutheran World Federation, Kenya
I. NARRATIVE SUMMARY
DETAILS OF THE EMERGENCY
During 2013 the number of new refugees arriving from South Sudan at Kakuma refugee Camp in Kenya has increased. The camp capacity is 100,000 persons but now holds 118,000 refugees. On the 10th of June 2013 the reception centre had 1,379 staying, while the holding capacity of the centre is 700. By the 12th of June the population at the centre had increased to 1,600.
Out of the 1,600 persons at the reception centre, 550 had already registered but could not leave the reception centre due to lack of space and shelters in the camp. Another 500 have been registered by the Kenyan government but are waiting for registration by the UNHCR. 108 are unaccompanied minors (UAMs), some of who, have been registered and granted refugee status, but do not have foster families to take care of them.
As the influx of the new refugees continues, there is extreme pressure on the sanitation facilities and shelters available at the reception centre and the situation is expected to worsen. There are not enough latrines, bathrooms, and shelters. There is no space to dig new latrines or construct new shelters within the reception centre.
The refugee centre is also crowded and there is no space in the refugee camp forcing the refugees to remain at the reception centre after registration.
There is a severe risk of disease outbreak, which could have very serious consequences due to the dense population. The overcrowded space is also a protection concern, there is no room for children to play, and the wet feeding/cooking facilities are inadequate.
At least 550 people, who have been registered by the Kenyan government awaiting UNHCR registration, could be moved from the reception centre to a transit facility. 80 UAMs could also move out as soon as they have foster families.
80% of the refugees arriving at the RC are from South Sudan and 22% are children (352 children).
ACTIONS TO DATE, AND EMERGENCY NEEDS
In 2012 the LWF was supported by ACT to construct water system, repair shelters and expand the kitchen when a similar situation occurred. In 2013 the LWF is, through support from the Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), constructed a latrine and bathroom that is adapted for persons with disabilities. However, the sanitation facilities and shelters are not enough for the 1,600 persons now staying at the centre.
The LWF is partnering with the government of Kenya’s department of refugee affairs and UNHCR on the registration of new arrivals, provision of non-food items and complimentary feeding. The World Food Program will provide food baskets for the new arrivals in the reception centre. IRC will conduct medical screening. JRS will provide counselling services to new arrivals with traumatic experiences. NCCK will provide shelter to those leaving the reception centre and need space for construction of shelter. LWF community services will help in identification of UAMs and placement in foster care families. LWF will also work to identify SGBV survivors.
PROPOSED EMERGENCY RESPONSE
To create a transit area, where persons already registered and granted refugee status can stay while space and shelters in the camp are prepared. This will decongest the reception centre, significantly reduce the risk of diseases due to poor sanitation, improve child protection and protection, and allow people dignified shelters. It will also separate the new arrivals from the persons who have been through registration, which will reduce tension and various protection concerns.
Negotiations have been made with the Department for Refugee Affairs and UNHCR Kakuma Sub Office who support the action.
OVERALL OBJECTIVE:
Immediately decongest the reception centre at Kakuma refugee camp, provide conditions for a dignified and safe reception and transit period while waiting to be settled in the refugee camp.
OBJECTIVES OF THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE:
Urgently move the 550 registered refugees from the crowded reception area to the approved transit area and provide latrines, water, shelter, child-friendly space and ensure safety and security by:
• Fencing and securing an area to become a transit area
• Construction of sanitation facilities and extension of water supply.
• Provision of shelters.
• Preparation of child friendly space.
• Moving registered refugee who are waiting for shelter/space in the camp
PROPOSED ASSISTANCE:
• Create and fence off a new area to become a temporary transit area. Clear and prepare the ground. Prepare drainage.
• Construct latrines and bathing facilities initially for 500 refugees
• Extend the water pipeline to provide water to the transit area, procure and install water tank
• Provide shelter (immediately through provision of tents that are in UNHCR store, but also begin the construction of permanent shelters by constructing an elevated floor (to avoid flooding of the shelter) and a proper roof. Initially with tarpaulin or plastic sheet walls, later with constructing proper walls).
• Prepare a child friendly space/play area.
• Move registered refugees from the reception centre to the transit area.
• Provide security until the end of 2013 when the security will be part of regular projects.
It shall be noted that these are the immediate and extremely urgent needs, and LWF will source for additional funding to address other needs for drainage, play materials, and improved shelters.
TARGET POPULATIONS:
Primary: All persons who have been received and registered, and are waiting for shelter and space in the camp. At the moment 550 persons.
Secondary; All new arrivals received through the reception centre at the moment 10,000 (excluding the 550 to be moved).
Note that: So far in 2013 10,709 persons have been received, the estimated total influx of new refugees in 2013 is 20,000 as the first half of the year usually have more arrivals than the second half due to weather conditions in Sudan/South Sudan making movement difficult. All new arrivals (estimated at 10,000 persons) until the end of 2013 will benefit from a decongested reception centre, improved sanitation, water, shelter and protection.
Further note that: when the transit area is established (the RRF will be used for immediate and urgent needs and to reduce the risks associated with congestion, poor sanitation, etc) the LWF together with partners will look to continuously expand its capacity and improve facilities like shelter and play ground.
IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS:
LWF manages the reception centre where displaced people first come on arrival whilst they wait to go through the registration process and before they are integrated into the camp.
• The LWF will continue partnering with the government of Kenya’s department of refugee affairs and with UNHCR on the registration of new arrivals and provision of non food items and complimentary feeding.
• The World Food Program will provide food baskets for wet feeding for the new arrivals in the reception centre.
• IRC will conduct medical screening.
• JRS will provide counselling services for arrivals with traumatic experiences.
• NCCK will provide shelter once the new arrivals leave the transit area, when there is space and funding available.
• LWF’s community services will support in the identification of UAMs and continue to place them in foster care families.
• LWF will also work to identify and refer SGBV survivors.
The project will work closely with the camp administrative structure in supporting the unaccompanied elderly and the refugee incentive staff in the implementation of the project’s activities.
LWF have agreed with the Government of Kenya (Department for Refugee Affairs) about allowing space for the transit area, and with UNHCR about creating the area. UNHCR have agreed to provide tents as soon as the fencing has been done and the ground prepared and while other provisions for shelters are made.
COORDINATION:
LWF is the main implementing partner for UNHCR in the camp and works in coordination and collaboration with other NGOs and government departments. LWF Kenya is an active member of the Kenya ACT forum.
COMMUNICATIONS:
LWF will provide regular updates throughout the response.
PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD:
The emergency project period will run from June to August 2013.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION:
LWF staff at the reception centre and in the Community Services and WASH sectors will monitor the implementation on a daily basis. After refugees have been moved, a participatory review will be made to ask refugees about the move and the immediate impact of the transit area. The final reports will be submitted to the ACT Secretariat by the 30th October 2013 and the audit report by the 30th November 2013.
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jean-Daniel Birmele, Director of Finance (jbi@actalliance.org).
For the full document and detailed budget, please click here.
