NAIROBI – UN Refugee Agency UNHCR on March 7 launched its 2024 Ramadan campaign in Kenya to raise money to provide access to clean water to tens of thousands of refugees and host community members in Dadaab.
The event that brought together faith and business leaders, private sector partners, media, and UNHCR senior leadership also seeks to provide shelter kits to the most vulnerable families.
The event, which was held at UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for East, Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes region, highlighted the impact the campaign hopes to have on the lives of displaced people and host communities in Dadaab.
Kenya has hosted refugees for more than three decades and there are 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.
Kelly T. Clements, UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner, said he was delighted to be in Nairobi to help start the 2024 Ramadan Campaign with 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,” Clements said.
The UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner noted that they have witnessed tremendous support for last year’s campaign, enabling them 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,” he added.
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, it said in a statement.
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.
Mary Kanuku, DIB Bank’s Head of Treasury and representing the CEO’s Office, said as a leading Islamic Financial Institution, they 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.” Kanuku said.
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.
To donate:
Via bank transfer
KES Acc #: 0108097038100
USD Acc #: 8708097038100
Account Name: United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees
Bank Name: Standard Chartered
Branch: Westlands
Swift Code: SCBLKENX
Please indicate if Sadaqah or Zakat
