UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has launched its 2024 Ramadan campaign in Kenya, bringing together faith and business leaders, private sector partners, media, and UNHCR senior leadership.
The event, held at UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for East, Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes region focused on the campaign’s impact on displaced people and host communities in Dadaab.
Kenya has generously hosted refugees for over three decades, with over 710,000 refugees currently in the country, mostly in refugee camps in Turkana and Garissa Counties. The Dadaab Refugee Complex houses over 335,000 refugees, primarily from Somalia, alongside the host community.
This year’s Ramadan campaign aims to mobilize resources for UNHCR and partners to provide clean water access to tens of thousands of refugees and host community members in Dadaab, along with shelter kits for the most vulnerable families.
“I am delighted to be in Nairobi to kickstart the 2024 Ramadan Campaign with our private sector partners and faith leaders. This year, the campaign aims to raise funds to support water and shelter needs for families in Dadaab. Such campaigns provide a lifeline for those forced to flee and the communities hosting them. We call on people and businesses to join hands with UNHCR to help those in need,” said Kelly T. Clements, UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner.
Funds from last year’s campaign in Kenya helped UNHCR maintain seven boreholes in Dadaab, ensuring water supply for over 100,000 people. New partners like DIB Bank Kenya are increasing support for the campaign, co-hosting UNHCR’s Ramadan iftar fundraiser and showing commitment to humanitarian causes.
“As a leading Islamic Financial Institution, we are honored to support refugees in need. By partnering with UNHCR, we aim to make a positive impact on global humanitarian issues and provide hope for displaced individuals and families,” said Mary Kanuku, DIB Bank’s Head of Treasury.
UNHCR’s annual Ramadan campaign in Kenya facilitates Sadaqah and Zakat contributions to aid refugees and host communities in Dadaab. The campaign welcomes partnerships with Kenya’s private sector and individuals to support water and shelter needs in the camp.
UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund, launched globally in 2019, utilizes Zakat and Sadaqah to assist vulnerable refugees and IDPs, impacting over 7 million individuals in Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.”
