Kenya (Discontinued on 20 Oct 2020)

Situation Report

Sector Status

Refugees

495K
refugees in Dadaab and Kakuma

Needs

  • As of 1 October, there were 252 confirmed cases among Persons of Concern (PoC) to UNHCR , with 83 active cases.

  • Spread of misinformation among refugees and asylum-seekers regarding quarantine and COVID-19 treatment centres leads to some resisting admission.

    Inpatient hospital feeding is required for all patients in quarantine and isolation facilities.

  • Several children need access to psychosocial support to reduce exposure, especially of girls, to gender-based violence, early marriage, teenage pregnancy and other risks. The continued closure of schools has exposed children to risks, such as engaging in illegal activities and early childhood pregnancies.

  • Identifying foster caregivers for refugee children continues to be challenging due to the negative economic impact of the pandemic.

  • Need to improve school infrastructure in preparation for re-opening through provision of additional radios, tablets, computers, textbooks and other learning materials, as well as solar lamps, hygiene kits and data bundles, for both refugee and host community students at all educational levels, as limited ownership of personal devices constrains full access to ongoing learning continuity interventions and home/community-based learning. University students need laptops to access e-learning.

  • School infrastructure (classroom construction/renovation, WASH and other school materials) in the refugee camps needs to be expanded to support school re-opening. In addition, community communication strategies and back-to-school campaigns will be required prior to the re-opening of schools.

Response

  • Community sensitization is ongoing in both Kakuma and Dadaab to encourage the adoption of preventive measures, including mask wearing and social distancing.

  • Kakuma received 130,000 reusable facemasks donated by the US Government. Distribution to refugees and the host community is ongoing.

  • In Nairobi, masks, soap and sanitizers were distributed to residents of the Transit Centre and Safe House, UNHCR partners and community-based organizations, including those led by the youth. Some were also distributed to urban refugee communities in Nakuru and Mombasa.

  • In Kakuma, family mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) screening has been rolled out in over 50 per cent the households, whereby mothers are trained to take measurements of children for safe and timely identification of malnutrition. In addition, targeted screening is being carried out in identified hot spots and follow-up intensified to resolve contributing factors to malnutrition.

  • In Kakuma, the Instant Network School Centres (INS) were reopened to ensure access to learning during the pandemic. ICT coaches were trained on the operation of INS centres and briefed on hygiene measures. Handwashing stations have been installed in the centres and access is controlled.

  • In Kakuma, daily five-hour radio lessons were broadcasted for primary and secondary school and Accelerated Education Programme (AEP) learners. A total of 1,575 secondary school candidates accessed learning materials, and 133 (41 female) teachers were engaged in monitoring student participation in radio lessons. In Dadaab, 18 five-hour weekly radio lessons were broadcasted, reaching 46,372 students (20,850 girls) at primary and secondary school, Accelerated Education Programme (AEP) and Alternative Basic Education (ABE) students. The broadcasting hours were increased from two to five following an agreement with a second local radio station.

  • A total of 1,023 learners with special needs in Dadaab and 651 (227 female) in Kakuma were provided devices, adapted material and guidance to access distance learning.

  • In Kakuma, 190 teachers (56 female) received online mentorship and 41 (12 female) were trained on the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). In Dadaab, 120 (30 female) secondary school teachers received online training on Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Child Protection and Safeguarding.

  • In Kakuma, 9,479 revision textbooks were distributed to the 26 primary schools and 4,373 revision textbooks were delivered to six secondary schools. In Dadaab, 39,908 textbooks were distributed to 3,136 (1,262 female) Grade 8 students in 22 primary schools and 1,296 (392 female) secondary school students.

  • In preparation for school reopening, 798 school desks were supplied to 10 schools in Kakuma, while a multi-sectoral team was set up to map out alternative locations for three isolation/quarantine centres currently housed in schools.

  • At least 7,366 households (39,830 individuals) were reached through COVID-19 awareness and sensitization activities in Kakuma and Kalobeyei. In addition, 2,469 handwashing demonstrations were conducted in the three villages of the Kalobeyei settlement. In Dadaab, 126 hygiene promoters carried out community sensitization on COVID-19, reaching 34,257 individuals.

  • In Dadaab, 84 refugees/asylum-seekers (60 per cent female, 40 male) participated in peer-to-peer sessions on gender-based violence, 30 male refugees/asylum-seekers took part in a session on supporting survivors of violence and 55 refugees/asylum-seekers (80 per cent female, 20 per cent male) took part in talks on violence at home. In addition, 14 community health workers were trained on responding to SGBV during the pandemic.

  • A total of 98 vulnerable women and girls in Dadaab and 30 in Nairobi received menstrual hygiene kits.

  • In Nairobi, 30 refugee children were invited to a children’s dialogue to speak about their coping mechanisms during the pandemic.

  • Thirty youths (12 female, 18 male) in Kakuma participated in “YES” a three-day training focusing on SGBV and conflict management amidst COVID-19 pandemic and the role of the youth in prevention and mitigation.

  • Six refugee children, out of the 27 living in children homes, were reunited with their families after successful home assessment. UNHCR continues to support the homes with donations in kind (foodstuff, milk, masks, soap, sanitizers etc).

Gaps

  • Students do not have enough radios, textbooks and digital devices for distance learning.

  • The current radio airtime dedicated to distance learning does not suffice.

  • Additional teachers are required to reinforce schools upon reopening.

  • An additional 100 handwashing stations for public places in Kakuma and 40 hand washing stations for schools in Dadaab are needed.

  • There is need to engage additional hygiene promoters, specifically for the COVID-19 quarantine facilities.

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