Emergency shelter for 2,000 families committed to Kenya

ShelterBox has committed emergency shelter for up to 2,000 families in Kenya as the worst drought in 60 years continues to cause chaos throughout the region. 

ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members Peter Pearce (AU) and Ingrid Criddle (UK) have been working in conjunction with UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) to assess the most effective way ShelterBox can help. 

Huge numbers of refugees continue to flee to Kenya from Somali as drought and famine continue. According to OCHA (Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) there are more than 11 million people in need of humanitarian assistance throughout the Horn of Africa. As well as Kenya, ShelterBox has a response team operating in Ethiopia and both teams be supporting the relief effort in whatever way possible. 

Speaking en route to Dadaab, the refugee camp 100 kilometers from the Kenya-Somalia border, SRT member Ingrid Criddle said aid from ShelterBox will be used to help the most vulnerable families. 

‘There’s an overwhelming need throughout the region and our number one priority is to deliver emergency shelter to the most vulnerable groups,’ she said. ‘We’re working incredibly closely with the UN as multi-agency collaboration is vital to ensuring the most effective response to this growing humanitarian crisis.’ 

Global response required

The refugee camps in Dadaab were originally designed to accommodate up to 90,000 refugees but according to the latest figures there are now close to 400,000 people living in and around the three camps. OCHA states that as of July 24 there were 28,000 refugees residing outside the camps and awaiting registration. 

John Leach, ShelterBox Head of Operations, added: ‘This crisis demands a global response from the humanitarian community. Where are teams are operating, in Kenya and Ethiopia, we’re seeing great examples of inter-agency cooperation. 

‘There is a huge need for every type of aid and we will be doing everything we can to support the relief efforts.’