Kenyans Turn Up In Support of More Than 475,000 Refugees in Kenya

The second UNHCR Step for Safety annual walk that took place on Sunday, September 8^th, saw thousands of Kenyans turn up in support of Refugees who have been displaced due to conflicts and persecution across east Africa and Africa at large.

The Step for Safety campaigns, known as LuQuLuQu is an initiative of the United Nation (UN) Agency, UNHCR, which aims at changing the perception of the refugee narrative and bringing to attention the plight of the forcibly displaced people by highlighting their resilience.

The largest number of forcibly displaced people are in Africa. In 2018, over 35 percent of the world’s 70.8 million displaced fled across the continent.

According to UNHCR Representative in Kenya, Fathiaa Abdalla, Kenya hosts more than 475,000 refugees with close to 80 percent of them being women and children.

“Having met some of the people behind these numbers, I am continuously impressed and inspired by their talent, ambition, and potential,” said Ms. Abdalla.

“Kenyans have responded to the LuQuLuQu campaign’s call for action energetically. This second Step for Safety walk is a wonderful way in which we as a community can honor the strength and perseverance of people that, even though we’re forced to flee and leave everything behind, are determined to build a better life,” she added.

The walk to raise awareness and support people who were forced to flee their countries across Africa was inaugurated in Nairobi in 2018, with 1,500 people in attendance and has since then been held in Somalia, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and South Africa.

During the LuQuLuQu campaigns, an array of family-friendly activities is planned, including an educational simulation exercise for participants to learn about UNHCR’s work in refugee registration, provision of core relief items, and tour of UNHCR tents.

Other activities include market stalls exhibiting refugee artisan handicrafts, children-friendly stations, and musical performances by Elani, Avril, and others, who were led by UNHCR Goodwill ambassador, Mercy Masika.

Mercy Masika commended Kenyans for taking part in the campaigns, saying that it demonstrated African togetherness.

“I am proud to be part of LuQuLuQu family. In walking together, we are demonstrating a united Africa for our forcibly displaced brothers and sisters across the continent.  By taking this step for safety, we are invoking the ubuntu philosophy that is at the heart of LuQuLuQu – taking utmost care of each other,” she said.

All proceeds from the 8^th September LuQULuQu campaigns will be channeled towards providing emergency relief for the forcibly displaced people.