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Kenya: Doctors Without Borders Urges Kenyan Officials to Consult Refugees Before Closing Camps

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5 years ago

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Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is urging the Kenyan government to consult with people living in refugee camps before closing the camps permanently.

In a news release, the medical humanitarian organization said on Wednesday that a human-centered approach would ensure that authorities understand the plight of refugees and adequately map out a more desirable future.

“While MSF supports the need for sustainable alternatives to refugee camps, our teams are extremely concerned that the voices of refugees living in the camps are not being heard,” the news release said.

Earlier this year, Kenyan authorities announced they were ready to shut down the Dadaab and Kakuma camps.

In the announcement, the Interior Ministry said there was no room for negotiation. The minister in charge gave the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR two weeks to present a road map for evacuation.

But the UNHCR said it would continue the dialogue with the East African country to ensure the protection of camp residents.

After the announcement, Peter Gichira, a lawyer and, according to The Associated Press, a former presidential aspirant, filed a case against the government’s intentions, describing them as unconstitutional.

The court agreed and suspended closure of the camps for 30 days, making it the second time a Kenyan court has prevented authorities from shutting down camps.

As the suspension period ends, MSF wants attention paid to camp residents because their lives and livelihoods are at stake.