Appeal

Kenya

Emergency Preparedness to receive Somali refugee influx in Dadaab camps - AFKE73

Appeal Target: US$ 645,135

Geneva, 21 August 2007

Civil wars and instability in Somalia since the fall of former president Siad Barre has forced many people to seek asylum in Kenya as refugees since 1991. Refugee camps were established in 1991 and in 1992 close to Dadaab in the Garissa District of the North Eastern Province of Kenya, some 80 km from the border with Somalia. The refugee population has gradually increased over the years to about 173,409 at the end of June 2007.

Following the recent increased fighting and instability in Somalia during the last half of 2006, more than 10,000 Somali people fled to the Kenya/Somalia border, attempting to seek asylum in Kenya. However, the Kenyan government closed the border due to security concerns, forcing the asylum seekers back to Somalia, with some settling in camps along the Kenya/Somalia border.

Since the closure of the border, the emergency response priority for UNHCR in the Dadaab camps changed from opening a new camp to strengthening current camp-level preparedness and capacity. This priority shift also involved attending to long-standing assistance and protection gaps and weaknesses in the camps.

UNHCR decided to address these concerns by engaging a focal implementing partner for camp management. The partner would enhance preparedness and capacity to receive an influx of refugees by managing the reception and transit centres and by providing asylum seekers with basic needs such as food, shelter, water and sanitation immediately upon arrival. The partner would also improve the system of refugee self-management and promote compliance with camp layout and site plan regulations. UNHCR has invited ACT member the Lutheran World Federation LWF to meet this need based on its proven experience in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya and other work in Tanzania.

This appeal is designed to enable LWF to establish an operational presence in Dadaab, improve community-based camp management and respond to the emergency needs of new arrivals, which UNHCR estimates could be close to 10,000 people.

Name of ACT member/partner: Lutheran World Federation.

Project Completion Date: 31st December 2008

Reporting Schedule:

Interim narrative & financial: 15 June 2008

Final narrative & financial: 28 February 2009

Audit: 31 March 2009

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FOR THE FULL TEXT OF THE APPEAL (PDF FILE), KINDLY VISIT THE ACT SITE. THANK YOU. _________________________________________________________________________________

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested (US$):

Total Appeal Target(s): 654,135

Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd.: 0

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: 645,135

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

US dollar

Account Number - 240-432629.60A

IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A

Euro

Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z

IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together

UBS AG

8, rue du Rhône

P.O. Box 2600

1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND

Swift address: UBSW CHZH12A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@act-intl.org) and the Programme Officer Michael Hyden (mhy@act-intl.org), of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.