UNHCR Launches 2024 Ramadan Fundraising to Upgrade Dadaab
By Antynet Ford
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Refugee Agency have launched their 2024 Ramadan campaign in Kenya.
The launch highlighted the activities of the campaign with hopes to have on the lives of displaced people and host communities in Dadaab.
This year’s Ramadan campaign aims to mobilize resources necessary for UNHCR and partners to continue providing access to clean water to tens of thousands of refugees and host community members in Dadaab, in addition to providing shelter kits to the most vulnerable families.
Speaking during the launch, UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements stated that last year’s campaign enabled UNHCR to ensure access to water for more than 100,000 people living in Dadaab calling for people and businesses to come forward and join hands with UNHCR to help the refugees in need.
“This year, the campaign aims to raise funds to support water and shelter needs for thousands of families currently residing in Dadaab Refugee Camp. Campaigns such as this one provide a much-needed lifeline for individuals who have been forced to flee and communities hosting them.” Kelly stated.
This year, UNHCR will partner with private sector partners such as DIB Bank Kenya, showcasing increased support for the Ramadan campaign. DIB Bank is co-hosting UNHCR’s Ramadan iftar fundraiser which is taking place during the month of Ramadan. DIB was also represented during today’s event.
The bank has affirmed UNHCR of helping the achieve this year’s goal through the Head of Treasury Mary Kanuku representing the CEO’s Office stating they recognize the need for refugees and are focused on supporting UNHCR’s course.
“By supporting UNHCR’s vital work, we are reaffirming our commitment to making a positive impact on global humanitarian issues. Together we can make a difference and provide hope for a better future for all displaced individuals and families.” She said.
Kenya has been generously hosting refugees for more than three decades. There are currently more than 710,000 refugees living in the country, the majority living in refugee camps in Turkana and Garissa Counties.
The Dadaab Refugee Complex is now home to more than 335,000 refugees, the vast majority from Somalia, where they live side-by-side with the host community.
Funds raised through last year’s campaign in Kenya have enabled UNHCR to maintain seven out of the 22 existing boreholes in Dadaab through quick replacement of submersible pumps, overall maintenance, and security costs for those seven boreholes.
This ensured the operational continuity of boreholes and sustained water supply to more than 100,000 people.
UNHCR runs the annual Ramadan campaign in Kenya to facilitate Sadaqah and Zakat contributions to support refugees and host communities in the Dadaab refugee camp.
This year’s campaign welcomes the opportunity to partner with Kenya’s private sector and individuals to help support water and shelter needs for refugees and local host communities residing there.
In 2019, UNHCR globally launched the Refugee Zakat Fund, its trusted, complaint, and effective mechanism, harnessing the power of Zakat and Sadaqah to assist eligible most vulnerable refugees and IDPs.
To date, the Fund has enabled UNHCR to impact the lives of over 7 million people in Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia.
