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Shut out and forgotten, refugees in Dadaab appeal for dignity

The Dadaab camps have existed for close to three decades. Many people were born in the camps, married there, and several even passed away knowing nothing but the camps. Long-term encampment has devastating consequences for refugees’ physical and psychological health. Although refugees have access to primary and secondary healthcare in the camps, years of de-prioritisation of chronic illnesses which require specialised care is creating a silent emergency.

The Dadaab refugee camps have long outlasted their purpose, and while they continue to be a lifeline for refugees with limited long-term prospects in sight, they have also locked people in a cycle of vulnerability and dependency.

MSF has been providing healthcare to refugees in Dadaab for most of the camp’s existence. MSFs health services are open to host communities and are a crucial lifeline for unregistered refugees who are denied access to basic services in the camps. MSF’s current programmes are focused in Dagahaley, where it provides comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare to refugees and over 26,000 people in host communities through a 100-bed hospital and two health posts. The medical services include sexual and reproductive health care, medical and psychological assistance to survivors of sexual violence, mental health care and palliative care among others.

MSF has stood alongside refugees for most of the past three decades and has borne witness to their plight including in 2016 when the government threatened to forcefully close the Dadaab refugee complex. We will continue to accompany refugees in their search for sustainable solutions. In the last ten years, MSF has responded to 12 emergencies in the North East Province including two cholera outbreaks in the camps.

MSFSTO36665

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Shut out and forgotten, refugees in Dadaab appeal for dignity

Mohamed Hussein Bule, 27, lives with Type 1 diabetes. He is a refugee and teaches in one of the schools in Dagahaley.

A treatment kit for patients with type 1 diabetes including a glucometer and glucometer strips, needles, insulin among others.

Abdia Magale, 65, is a Traditional Birth Attendant and a refugee in Dagahaley.

MSF Staff walking through one of the streets in Dagahaley camp, Dadaab

Operating Theatre Nursing team in MSF's hospital in Dagahaley

Amfac Yussuf in the maternity ward

Maternity Supervisor at the MSF hospital in Dagahaley, Sarah Amondi exmines a patient

Abdulmalik Wanyama, the Hospital Director for MSF's 100-bed hospital in Dagahaley

Young refugee girls in Dagahaley

55-year-old Nyakun Kuok is a refugee in Dagahaley

Nyakun inside her house in Dagahaley camp.

Nyakun's grandchildren in their compound in Dagahaley

38-year-old Janai Issack Aden has been living in Dagahaley since 1991. She fled violence in Somalia with her parents and siblings, settling in the camp

Nyakun spends most of her time in this church, which she says gives her immense consolation for all she has seen in her life.

38-year-old Janai Issack Aden has been living in Dagahaley since 1991. She fled violence in Somalia with her parents and siblings, settling in the camp

A woman walks out of the Mental Health Clinic in MSF's hospital in Dagahaley

Halima

Four-year-old Abdirahman Ali Diyat, and two-year-old Abdullahi Ali Diyat both have diabetes

Halima Noor - The Adult Ward Supervisor at the MSF hospital in Dagahaley

Shut out and forgotten, refugees in Dadaab appeal for dignity

Four-year-old Abdirahman Ali Diyat lives with diabetes.

Fatuma Bare and her two children who have diabetes.

Fatuma Bare,a refugee whose two children: four and two years old have diabetes

four-year-old Abdirahman Ali Diyat, and two-year-old Abdullahi Ali Diyat both have diabetes and have to inject insulin twice daily

Two-year-old Abdullahi Ali Diyat lives with type 1 diabetes and has to inject insulin twice daily

Fatuma Bare and her two children who live with diabetes

Two-year-old Abdullahi Ali Diyat lives with diabetes and has to inject insulin at least twice daily.

Fatuma Bare and her two children who live with diabetes

Shut out and forgotten, refugees in Dadaab appeal for dignity

Young refugee girls in Dagahaley

A portable cooler box devised by the MSF team in Dagahaley

Mohamed Hussein Bule, 27, lives with Type 1 diabetes. He is a refugee and teaches in one of the schools in Dagahaley.

One of the two health posts that MSF runs in Dagahaley. The two health posts collectively see more than 300 patients each day.

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Abdia Magale, 65, is a Traditional Birth Attendant and a refugee in Dagahaley.

Nyakun Kuok and her family standing outside her house in Dagahaley camp

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Title Shut out and forgotten, refugees in Dadaab appeal for dignity

Unique Identifier Code / URN MSFSTO36665

Editor's rating ★★★★★ (C)

Date taken / Date Recorded 01/11/2019 12:00 AM

Sub type Standard Folder

Date taken / Date Recorded 01/11/2019 12:00 AM