Dadaab Refugee Camp Closure Extended to May 2017

The government has extended its deadline for the closure of Dadaab refugee camp by six months to May 2017 citing the delicate security situation in Somalia and international pressure to give residents more time to find new homes.

“The government has accepted the request to extend the deadline for the completion of repatriation of Somali refugees, and this is essential to the closure of the Dadaab refugee complex, by six months,” Interior Minister Joseph Ole Nkaissery said on Wednesday at a press briefing.

“However, the ongoing voluntary repatriation will continue uninterrupted,” he told a news conference.

Nkaissery reiterated that, “Kenya is committed to upholding international law in the repatriation process because we respect all international protocols that we are a signatory.”

Ahead of the new deadline, the government has initiated several tasks to be completed within the six-month’s period:

First month: clearing double registration where some refugees have irregularly registered as Kenyans, while on the other hand some Kenyans have registered as refugees;

Second month: all Non-Somali refugees will be relocated to other UNHCR camps;

Third month: Complete relocation of Somali refugees to third countries;

Four and Fifth month: complete the repatriation of Somali refugees from Dadaab to Somalia and;

Sixth Month: closure of Dadaab Refugee Complex and commencement of environmental rehabilitation program in the area.

Related:

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• Refugee Camps in the Country Boosting the Economy

Dadaab is the world’s largest refugee camp consisting of five camps and its population is largely Somali.

The complex opened in 1991 as a temporary shelter for Somalis fleeing civil war, but prolonged violence and insecurity have turned the vast area into a virtual city.