Refugee Camps in the Country Boosting the Economy

The Kenyan economy receives Sh.1.4 billion every year from the Daadab and Kakuma refugee camps.

This is according to a report that was released by the World Bank Group. The boost is brought about by the businesses that are run both inside and outside the camp.

The communities residing in the area who are pastoralists too contribute to the growth of the economy through selling of their livestock and meat. The estimated amount from this Sh.300 million every year.

Refugees have also been employed around the camps, by contractors who offer them with supplies. These suppliers contribute to the growth of the transport sector, since they are always on the move from the major towns to the camps.

The local markets experience high profits on their goods as buyers come from the camps, thus, a research by the bank has shown that the local community, who are the Turkana survive economically through the presence of the refugee camps in the area.

Inside the camps, there are shopping centers, hotels, matatu and taxi services, and also small shops. Some of these facilities are run by the refugees while some are run by the local community.

Most services in Garissa County and Turkana County have been upgraded, due to the camps. The transport sector, health sector and other social services have greatly been improved by both the Kenyan government and sponsors from outside the country.

The total number of refugees in the camps is 474,483. These are refugees from five countries which are Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia.  Kakuma is the second largest refugee camp in the world.

Article by Vera Shawiza.