Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05NAIROBI3944
2005-09-22 10:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:  

SUDANESE REFUGEES IN KAKUMA: MORE ARRIVING, FEW

Tags:  PHUM PREF SU KE 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS NAIROBI 003944 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PRM/A AND PRM/AFR, POSTS FOR REFCOORDS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF SU KE
SUBJECT: SUDANESE REFUGEES IN KAKUMA: MORE ARRIVING, FEW
RUSHING HOME


UNCLAS NAIROBI 003944

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR PRM/A AND PRM/AFR, POSTS FOR REFCOORDS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF SU KE
SUBJECT: SUDANESE REFUGEES IN KAKUMA: MORE ARRIVING, FEW
RUSHING HOME



1. SUMMARY. Sudanese refugees are not excited by the
prospect of returning to Sudan; in fact, as many as 6,000 new
Sudanese refugees have arrived in Kakuma refugee camp since
January. Theft of roofing material on vacant former Somali
Bantu dwellings led to their destruction by the weather. END
SUMMARY.


2. Refugee Specialist accompanied the visiting Sudan Desk
Officer on a day trip to Kakuma on September 9, 2005. Due to
the limited time, IRC, the host, set up a brief meeting with
25 to 30 Sudanese refugees to enable the desk officer to hear
general Sudanese views on repatriation to Sudan. The
prevailing sentiment was that Sudanese refugees are hesitant
to return. Most are willing to go but subject to improved
conditions, when infrastructure such as roads, hospitals,
clinics and schools are provided. Without these improvements,
some said they would rather be resettled to a third country.
As one refugee said, "The difference between those who came
to Kenya and those who stayed (is that) refugees are more
educated, more civilized. There is no water except river
water (in Southern Sudan). It is difficult to accept
repatriation without modern amenities now."


3. Security is another primary concern for most. One refugee
described an attack in the last few weeks in Equatoria where
people were killed, property looted and women and children
abducted (NFI).


4. While visiting Kakuma III, the former site of housing for
the Somali Bantu, Refugee Specialist observed many tents
being used as dwellings and many mud brick houses under
construction. Refugee Specialist was informed that since
January as many as 6,000 new Sudanese refugees had arrived in
the camp, 1,200 of whom had arrived since June. Reasons for
the arrival of the new Sudanese refugees included "no
infrastructure" and "no medical care" in the areas from which
they arrived. Only registered refugees and locals may access
health clinics in the camp. Old Somali Bantu dwellings could
not be used because they were destroyed when theft of the
roofing material allowed disintegration of the mud brick
walls from wind and rain.


5. Refugee Specialist also visited a health clinic and a
President's Emergency Plan funded VCT (Voluntary Counseling
and Testing) center for HIV/AIDS activities. The health
clinic was small with tiny, dark and dusty offices and
examination and treatment rooms. Twenty-five or 30 people
waited outside in a makeshift waiting area while 10 to 15
were already being assisted. The staff said it catered for 80
or more patients per day. The VCT center is housed in a
building significantly larger than the clinic. The center
includes a waiting room, a counseling room and other offices.
A TV and VCR stood ready for use in the waiting area, which
like the offices was large, airy and well-lit. The staff said
up to eight persons were seen per day. The other buildings
house classrooms for use in HIV/AIDS education and other
activities.


5. COMMENT: It is frustrating to see peace yield such slow
results, but Sudanese refugees will not repatriate quickly
and others will likely continue to arrive until there is
something better to go home to. Until then, Sudanese refugees
will continue to make use of the health care facilities,
schools and other services available to them in Kakuma
refugee camp. The differences between the VCT center and the
clinic vividly reflect the contrast between levels of funding
available for HIV activities as compared to primary health
care.
BELLAMY