UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today launched its 2024 Ramadan campaign in Kenya in an event that brought together faith and business leaders, private sector partners, media, and UNHCR senior leadership. The event was held at UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for East, Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes region. It highlighted the impact the campaign hopes to have on the lives of displaced people and host communities in Dadaab.
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.
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.
“I am delighted to be in Nairobi to help kickstart the 2024 Ramadan Campaign with our key private sector partners and faith leaders. 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. We have witnessed tremendous support for last year’s campaign, enabling us to ensure access to water for more than 100,000 people living in Dadaab. For this year, we call upon people and businesses to come forward and join hands with UNHCR to help those who are most in need,” said Kelly T. Clements, UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner.
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.
This year, new UNHCR private sector partners such as DIB Bank Kenya, are showcasing increased support to 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.
“As a leading Islamic Financial Institution, we are honoured to partner with UNHCR to support Refugees in their time of need. At DIB Bank Kenya, we recognize the importance of providing much-needed assistance to those who have been forced to leave everything behind and rebuild their lives. 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.” said Mary Kanuku, DIB Bank’s Head of Treasury and representing the CEO’s Office.
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.
