At least 55 measles cases have been recorded in the Dadaab refugee camp as of December 22, 2022, the World Health Organization has said.
The WHO in the Emergency Situational Updates published on Tuesday said the camp has also recorded an increase in cholera with a total of 504 cases reported.
“Furthermore, an outbreak of measles has been reported in Kakuma refugee camp where an additional 20,000 refugees arrived recently,” WHO said in the update.
The global health agency has further warned that the January-March 2023 dry season is likely to reverse any recovery the ASALs may have made ahead of the next.
According to WHO, the impact of the October-November-December (OND)“short rains” has been insignificant to local livelihoods as it only provided limited relief mainly in water access for some parts of the ASAL counties.
“In terms of refugees, the camps have more than three times the intended capacity."
WHO estimates that the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA) region is hosting approximately 4.4 million refugees and asylum-seekers, the majority are from South Sudan (2.21 million).
“Approximately 13.5 million people are internally displaced as a result of conflict and drought, among other factors,” WHO said.
WHO estimates that currently, 571,000 refugees are living in Kenya.
Last week, the government revealed a plan to integrate willing refugees into local communities.
Immigration and Citizens PS Julius Bitok said refugees deserve to lead dignified lives away from camps where access to basic needs and services is limited.
Bitok said proper profiling of the refugees will be carried out to weed out those who might pose security threats.
In the recent past, some suspects of criminal and terror activities were traced to refugee camps.
