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