AMBASSADOR REQUESTS PERSONAL INTERVENTION OF

UNCLAS NAIROBI 000308


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KE PGOV PREF PREL SO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR REQUESTS PERSONAL INTERVENTION OF
KENYAN PM ON DADAAB

REF: 09 NAIROBI 00267


1. Following the Ambassador's meeting with the UNHCR Deputy
High Commissioner (DHC) on February 5 (Reftel),the
Ambassador sent the following letter to the Kenyan Prime
Minister on February 18 urging the PM's personal intervention
in implementing the package of activities agreed with the
UNHCR DHC to relieve severe overcrowding in Dadaab.


2. BEGIN TEXT

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

I was pleased to learn that during your meeting earlier this
month with the UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner you had agreed
to a package approach to resolve severe overcrowding in the
Dadaab refugee camps. I understand that the elements of the
package agreed to include the allocation of land to establish
a fourth camp, addressing more effectively host community
needs, and the transfer of some refugees from Dadaab to
Kakuma.

I want to emphasize that the U.S. Government considers the
implementation of this package an urgent humanitarian
priority. We are prepared to support the implementation of
the package through generous support to UNHCR's Dadaab Appeal
and with development assistance efforts in the region.

Since delays in implementing the package exacerbate the
humanitarian suffering of the refugees, I urge you to take
concrete steps to ensure that the package agreed to with the
UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner is implemented as quickly as
possible. Given the sensitivities involved, I request your
personal intervention.

The United States appreciates Kenya's hosting of over 250,000
refugees and its commitment to humanitarian principles, and
will continue to look for opportunities to help share this
burden.

Sincerely,

Michael E. Ranneberger
Ambassador

END TEXT


RANNEBERGER