Catalog
Catalog
Tall Rock
URBAN REFUGEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION
Tel: +254 723- 681- 793/710-907-908 P. 0. Box 651 00610 Nairobi Kenya
Email:infourcdo.org@gmail.com or urbanrefugeecdo@ymail.com or somalicommunity1@hotmail.com
www.urcdosomcom.webs.com
Certificate of Registration Number DGSD/EMB/5/4/2010/(527) GOK
BACK GROUND OF THE REFUGEES IN KENYA
The advent of refugee in Kenya can be traced back to the period before independence. After independence, the GOK set up a secretariat under the ministry of Home Affairs to handle Refugees Documentation, Registration and Settlement Programs. In earlier 1990 Kenya experienced a sudden and large influx of Refugees fleeing coups and conflicts in neighboring countries of Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia.
By 1992, Kenya had over 420,000 Refugees; Majority of the Refugees came from Somalia, after Government of the late Siyad Barre was overthrown by warlords.
In order to accommodate the large number of refugees, the GOK opened temporary Refugees camps to enable UNHCR and other Agencies offer Humanitarian assistance/aid to the Refugees. The temporary Refugee camps were:-
Mandera. Banissa. El wak. Ifo.
Hagadera. Dhagahley. Swaleh Nguru. Utange. Marafa. Hatimy. Jonvu. Kakuma and Thika.
The GOK was under taking RSD (Refugee Status Determination) until 1991 when the number of Refugees increased drastically and UNHCR was asked to take over the process. To day the process of Determining Refugees Status RSD is still being under taken by UNHCR on behalf of the GOK.
In 1998 due to congestion and operational difficulties, the GOK consolidated the Refugees camps and transferred Refugees to DADAAB and KAKUMA Refugee camps which remain active to date hosting different Refugees from Somalia. Sudan. Rwanda Nationals. Ethiopians. Burundi National. And Eritrean.
URBANIZATION
The traditional image of life in tented, sprawling camps no longer tells the full refugee story. As the world urbanizes, refugees too are increasingly moving to built up areas. Today, almost half of the world’s 10.5 million refugees reside in urban areas, with only one-third in camps. Refugees move to the city in the hope of finding a sense of community, safety and economic independence; however, in reality, what many actually find is harassment, physical assault and poverty. It is in this context that the Urban Refugee Community Development Organization and other Agencies dealing with refugees undertook an exploratory review to develop a clearer understanding of the profiles and challenges of urban refugees living in Nairobi, Kenya.
In Kenya, a country that today is home to more than 370,000 refugees, majority of them from Somalia, there has been significant attention to the plight of refugees living in overcrowded camps. Yet there has been little focus on the growing number of refugees living in its urban centre. Indeed, the exact size of the refugee population in the capital city Nairobi is not known, with figures ranging from 45,000 to 100,000. Despite these high numbers, both quantitative and qualitative information available on these populations is scarce. In Nairobi urban refugees are dispersed over the city, often highly mobile and reluctant to come forward for support due to fear that they could be deported or sent to refugee camps. This makes them a largely ‘invisible’ population, despite their significant need for protection and other support mechanisms. Yet the findings of this study also indicate that refugees make an important contribution to the local and national Kenyan economy. This could be further harnessed to great effect if there were greater initiatives to support refugee livelihoods.
This working paper highlights the assistance and protection needs of refugees in Nairobi and the policy and operational challenges that confront aid agencies NGOs, CBOs when responding to these needs. It also provides recommendations on how to better help these populations within wider strategies of assistance to vulnerable urban communities
URBAN REFUGEES PROTECTING THIER RIGHTS IN THE CITIES
Tens of thousands of Somali refugees have sought asylum in cities in neighboring countries but have long been overlooked by humanitarian actors. Many of these refugees have found ways to survive in Nairobi, and have become self-reliant, but others suffer from police harassment, arbitrary arrest and detention, and forced return. Registration and documentation should be the foundation of refugee protection in cities. Partnerships with community-based organizations and ongoing refugee profiling is essential to identify and serve the most vulnerable. Promoting the protection of refugees in cities helps them live with greater independence and dignity.
Due to ongoing violence, human rights violations, and conflict in Some countries like Somalia, today there are some 580,000 Somali refugees in four main asylum countries—Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen. Some of these refugees have lived in exile for over 18 years. As Somalis continue to flee the violence in ever growing numbers, they often join other Somali refugees in urban centers across the Horn and East Africa and throughout the Gulf. Recognizing the protracted nature of the conflict,
By issuing its policy on refugee protection and solutions in urban areas in September 2009, the UN Refugee Agency affirmed urban areas to be a legitimate place for refugees to reside. While there is a general perception among some aid groups, UN officials, and donor governments that providing protection and assistance in urban areas is a new concept, there are many positive practices that have long been in place. The best programs do not try to replicate camp-based care and maintenance programs but rather work to facilitate refugee access to national or local institutions, services and programs. This reduces the emergence of parallel structures that only target refugees and can lead to animosity with the local population. Most urban programs are more sustainable and less costly than camp-based ones.
Registration and Documentation is the Foundation of Urban Refugee Protection
Registration and documentation are often refugees’ foremost protection priority in urban settings. Without the legal protection afforded by official documents, refugees are often denied the ability to reside in cities, access services, find employment, and move freely within their country of asylum. Documentation can also act as a shield against arbitrary arrests and detention, forced return (refoulement) and police harassment, as well as discrimination and xenophobia from host communities. One refugee woman told Urban Refugees Community Organization (URCDO) that refugee employers are considered as foreigners in any job opportunities
In many contexts, while the law affords basic protections, it is the application of the law which is problematic. It takes sustained initiatives to ensure that the knowledge and acceptance of refugee rights trickles down to civil servants and private employers. UNHCR’s advocacy, other implementing partners role with host governments and civil society is of primary importance in an urban context. Initiatives to improve documentation for refugees should be supported by donor governments. Local legal aid organizations like Kituo Cha Sheria based in Eastleigh outside of Nairobi are essential in many urban environments where the police regularly engage in extortion from refugees. This particular organization is so effective because of its local knowledge and longtime work on human rights in Kenya.
Somalis are given prima facie refugee status. Upon initial registration the Yemeni government provides them with a registration card which affords them legal residency and the right to work. Despite high unemployment and poverty rates, UNHCR and the government encourage refugees to reside outside of camps. Indeed most Somali refugees choose to integrate into cities rather than go to only the two designated refugee camps DADAAB and KAKUMA,
Upon arrival in the country, Somalis are able to make informed decisions about where to live, for Somalis to stay in the city. Irrespective of the policies in place, many refugees will in fact move to urban areas in search of a more dignified life. Human mobility can enhance the economic, social and cultural life of both the individual and wider community and should be fully integrated into protection strategies. Greater freedom of movement between refugee camps and capital cities as well as other parts of the country of asylum should be promoted. Refugees should be able to choose where they would like to live and be given the freedom to move as social and economic pressures and contexts change.
Outreach, Identification, and Profiling of Vulnerable Refugees is Key to Urban Protection
The urbanization of refugees and asylum seekers can be a challenge for the humanitarian community, as it is inherently more difficult to target services and provide protection to a more geographically diffuse population. Nevertheless, there are a number of lessons that have emerged.
The use of community-based organizations (CBOs), often managed and staffed by refugees, is necessary to ensure effective outreach and feedback from beneficiaries. CBOs are most adept at disseminating news and getting community buy-in. CBOs also act as referrals for vulnerable cases and can provide support from the community that may be more sustainable than external assistance.
Facilitating Work Opportunities for Refugees is Critical
The governments of Kenya extremely ambivalent about refugees working in their cities, even when there are policies that require refugees to live in camps. Refugees are neither encouraged nor restricted from working; however, when it comes to employment in the formal sector and in the professional classes especially, few work permits are granted. As long as refugees work in the informal sector (which often means without a work permit and outside of government regulated businesses), most governments tolerate their economic activity. In Kenya, the majority of citizens are actually employed in the informal sector themselves and do not have access to formal sector jobs, so it should come as no surprise that refugees are largely employed in the informal economy as well.
The work that refugees are able to engage in varies from city to city but is proportionate to the wealth of the respective city. For example, some of the most successful Somali economic entrepreneurs can be found in Nairobi, one of the largest cities in Africa with significant levels of foreign capital and private investment. Some Somalis own large retail malls and other medium sized businesses, selling clothing, electronics, and foodstuffs. Promoting work opportunities and access to vocational training is essential to urban protection. Keeping refugees waiting in camps until they are able to go home is more costly and deprives refugees of their dignity. By focusing on providing work opportunities, refugees learn skills that can be transferred to a wide variety of places.
Increasing Education Opportunities Is Essential to Refugees’ Futures
In protracted refugee situations, where repatriation and resettlement are unlikely for most, education is an important tool to assist in integration in the host country and to build life skills that can be applied in any situation. While in many cases refugee children have the right to access national educational facilities, in practice discrimination is omnipresent. In many “mixed” neighborhoods where refugees live embedded with host communities; refugee children may represent an additional burden on schools. In Nairobi UNHCR has proactively reached out to schools to encourage them to accept refugee children and offers limited assistance in return, such as school benches or educational materials. In some contexts aid agencies have also provided school uniforms. This school-by-school or student-by-student approach is limited in its scope but is often the only way to ensure that refugee children attend classes.
Women Refugees in Cities
Many women face particular challenges in cities. They are often the sole breadwinner. Many work as housemaids and are often vulnerable to physical abuse, including sexual violence. Many women have no place to turn when it comes to reporting abuses and not only for those abused in the work place but also for those who are victims of trafficking and suffer extreme abuse. The Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) works to train Kenyan health care workers to provide services to survivors of sexual violence, thereby strengthening the national institutions and broadening the opportunities for survivors to seek and find assistance.
In urban areas many young women are at great risk of being lured into prostitution. UNHCR and NGOs need to increase their programs aimed at addressing the needs of these vulnerable women and build more safe houses for women facing imminent danger. SGBV programs in cities should be vastly expanded. Local partners are often critical to the success of such programs, particularly because access can be challenging in neighborhoods like Eastleigh in Nairobi.
It is therefore critical that donor governments increase micro-credit programs aimed at women so that women do not have to choose between working in an abusive situation as a housemaid or as a prostitute. Aden especially is an important example of how investing in women protects not only the women but also the families that are dependent on their income and well being. As entrepreneurs, women can more easily juggle the responsibilities of work and child care. When women work as housemaids, they are often forced to lock up their children in their small apartments and leave them unattended for the entire day. Unable to take their children to school or to pick them up, many women are forced to choose between earning a living or educating their children. In Sana’a the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was able to provide daycare in addition to vocational training opportunities. Day care is an essential program in urban areas where there is not a wider community on which refugees can lean to help with child care.
Conclusion
the positive examples presented should encourage the UN Refugee Agency, other UN agencies, the U.S. government, and other donor governments to actively and constructively in engage in more robust advocacy and funding for urban protection projects. Kenya has been serving refugees in cities for years. Each place offers lessons learned and positive practices of how best to respond to the particular needs of refugees. As the world continues to undergo a process of rapid urbanization, it is critical that humanitarian agencies refocus their efforts on also advocating for and protecting the rights of refugees in urban areas.
Overview of Somali Urban Refugees
Almost two decades after the collapse of its central government, Somalia remains a failed state. The Transitional Federal Government, supported by the international community and recognized by the United Nations, has failed to bring peace and stability to the country. Following the Ethiopian government’s military intervention in support of the TFG in early 2007, Somalis were caught in a violent conflict and fled their homes in Mogadishu and other cities in Southern Somalia. Today Somalia is the world’s greatest humanitarian disaster and aid agencies are unable to respond to the immense scale of needs. The insecurity preventing assistance is a consequence of the failed international political and diplomatic efforts. In light of the dramatic situation in south central Somalia, U.S. policy requires a complete overhaul, prioritizing humanitarian concerns over narrow counterterrorism objectives.
Current Humanitarian Situation
Somalia is the world’s worst humanitarian disaster. More than 3.6 million Somalis – 40% of the population – are dependent on external assistance, and hundreds of thousands of people have fled the country to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
There are approximately 1.5 million internally displaced people in Somalia and over 500,000 Somali refugees in neighboring countries. While the situation has continuously deteriorated in the past two years, the last months have seen worsening indicators, including high numbers of refugees going to Kenya.
DEFINITION OF REFUGEES
A person who owing to a well-founded fear of a being persecuted for reasons of RACE, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONALITY, MEMBESHIP OF PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUP or POLITICAL OPINION and is outside the country of his/her Nationality and is unable or owing to such fear, and unwilling to avail him/herself of the protection of his/her country of origin and unwilling to return to his/her country of origin (According Refugee Act 2006 States and other International refugee related conventions)
ASYLUM SEEKER
Asylum seeker is someone who has made a claim that he or she is a Refugee, and is waiting for that claim to be accepted or rejected. The term contains no presumption either way- it simply describes the fact that someone has lodged the claim. Some asylum seekers will be charged to be refugees and others will not.
MIGRANTS
Is a wide-ranging term that covers most people who move to a foreign country for a variety of reasons and for a certain length of time, and is different from immigrant which means someone who takes up permanent residence in a country other than his or her original Homeland
ECENOMIC MIGRANT
Someone who leaves his/her country of origin for financial reasons, rather than for refugee ones.
STATELESS PERSON
Someone who is not considered as a national by any state (de jure stateless) or possibly someone who does not enjoy fandemental rights enjoyed by other nationals in their home state
HOW URBAN REFUGEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION WAS FOUNDED/INITIATED
As Somali situation is not improving since 1990 and the number of Refugees fleeing and arriving or entering to Kenya is increasing every day to day, and face many different problems instead of assistance and protection, community volunteer worker (Abdulrazak Omar) who is the founding father of Urban Refugee Community Development Organization with an active group of Somali intellectuals has started to play a big role in establishing this ORGANIZATION which is Registered as COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION (CBO). in the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development of the GOK and it was founded in July 2010 but the idea started in 2009
Urban Refugee Community Development Organization has the following service
1. Protection
2. Community Services
3. Health
MISSION STATEMENTS
Urban Refugee Community Development organization works to fill the critical and unmet needs of people affected by war and conflict who have fallen through the net of humanitarian assistance. This commitment is expressed through targeting individuals, families and groups of people overlooked by existing aid programs. URCDO strives to alleviate human suffering, to protect life and health, and to raise awareness for these vulnerable people
OUR VISION
To be the best, most, reliable (CBO) in the field
OUR OBJECTIVE
• To provide psychosocial, entrepreneurial and activation support, for Refugees living outside the designated refugee camps
• To research and share information on country of origin, displacement, peace and security to inform decision makers on asylum or refugee matters through participation level, consultancy, and an advocacy
• To strengthen/widen urban refugee assistance programs
• Network with referral organizations to ensure that refugees are provided with critical assistances and be the best CBO Operational Partner
• Identify for durable solutions for refugees and asylum seekers at extreme risks
• Advocate Urban Refugees establish Community Based Supports, to respond trends or problems affecting them
• Raise awareness on Refugee issues through participation level, information sharing on any issues that is affecting Refugees
• Increase awareness and promote a consistent corporate image of the Urban Refugees, and their activities
• Network with all organizations who offer access services to the Urban Refugee Communities
• Empower,Promote Urban Refugee Children to access the free primary education in Kenya
• Create Jobs for the Professional Experienced Urban Refugees holding Degrees, Diploma or equivalent marks
• Promote peace and Security in the host country
• Participate Community Development meetings/issues in the Department of the GOK, UNHCR, GTZ DONORS , National NGOs, International Aid/Releif Organizations/ UN Sister Aid Agencies based in Nairobi, Kenya
• Promote Adult Learning Programs
The Urban Refugee Community Development Organization shall have an office Registered, an Address, Logo as letter head, Stamp and Constitution which shall describe all its Activities Responsibilities, (working Mandates) Mission, Vision and Objectives
CONSTITUTION/BY LAW OF THE URBAN REFUGEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION
ARTICLE ONE
(1) A
• The Name is Urban Refugee Community Development Organization, abbreviated as (U.R.C.D.O.) or Sur Community Development Organization or Urban Refugee Development Organization
• It’s a Non-profit making, Non Political COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION.
• The Organization will be Registered as (COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION CBO ) and shall have its CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
• The Organization will have a logo and that should be the Somali National Symbol, An office, Stamp, and a letter head, all placed with National Symbol of Somalia
• The H.Q of the Organization’s office shall be in Komarock (Embakasi Divission)
ARTICLE TWO
(2) B
• The Organization or its Staffs shall work according to its constitution and the basis of the code of conduct set for the Humanitarian workers in Kenya for the Refugee Program
• Any person nominated or elected to serve the office or the work of this Urban Refugee Community Development Organization shall work in accordance with its constitution and shall not take-part, involve, participate, promote, support, any activity against the Kenya Law or the International Law
• The Structure of URCDO shall be or compose of: - Managing Director, Director, Assistant Director, Treasurer, Secretariat, Urban Refugee Coordinator, Department Managers (Protection, Community Services, and Health)
• Any applicants interesting to work or serve in this Organization, must be a Recognized Refugee with Valid Refugee Documents, be a good sound mind, able to communicate English or Kiswahili, be ready to commit a volunteer work for a period of 6 months, sign a contract with the organization, support the Community Development issues
• Any member of the Urban Refugee Community shall have an access/chance to work with the Organization, Regardless, Race, Ethnicity, Religion, or Nationality and shall fill the assigned/allocated community membership form and pay 200kenya money once
• Staffs of Organization shall be issued with a budge to identify his/her mandated job/activities
• any member or staff of the Organization is not permitted/allowed to work out side his/her mandated work/activities, unless its Directed to do so or is essential/Important issues related Developments to the community or to the Organization
• Office of the Organization shall also issue community membership card which shall identify he or she is member of the Ordinary member of the Organization
• Membership of the Organization is open to all communities, regardless religion, race, nationality, gender. but any sick person , criminal is not allowed to be a member
Managing Director of the Organization
ARTICLE THREE
(3) C
• The Managing Director Chief executive Officer) is the highest rank/body of the Organization and shall Direct, Nominate, change, chair meetings, sign agreements, project proposals between the organization and other organizations dealing with the Urban Refugee Assistance Programs and cannot be changed
• The Managing Director, Director of other Bodies and the Treasurer are responsible for the account of the Organization and are the Dignitaries
• Director is highest person who is in charge of all other bodies, or Department as shown in the Structure
• Director or any other person/member can leave vacate his/her job if death occurs, Resign, or Travel to other countries, same to other of the Department officers/staffs
• The Organization shall meet every 6 months to discuss challenges, Achievements, and Action planning
• Any person below the of 18 years old shall not be nominated as staff or officer of Department
• Secretary is responsible to write all minutes, agendas of meetings, participants, visitors, and open the office regularly, keep the keys of the office, welcome all communities/guests to the office, keep office files, equipments like the computer, printer, or office materials in short.
• Project Manager, Project coordinator or the Urban refugee Coordinator shall do the given designation job or project.
• All Urban Refugees students are open to the memberships of the Organization and shall benefit or use the Organization’s Facilities such as Internet, computers, Printings, and shall pay 200 Kenya shilling for the membership and fill form
• All members of the Departments, officers, or Staffs shall be the Genuine members of the Organization shall contribute a sum of money 500 Kenya shilling as members contribution) to run for the office Programs like office rent or other activities In the first 2 years until the Organization is becoming Financially stable
• All Services offered by the Organization is free of charge and no one is allowed or shall ask refugees any money in exchange of assistance
• All Women Groups, Youth, Students, Elders, Business Groups, Individuals, Intellectuals, shall have or be given the opportunity to become members of the Organization running officers and shall have access to use the facilities of the Organization after their membership application is accepted.
• The Department officers, Staffs and Voluntary workers shall be trained before they assume office.
AREA OF WORK
ARTICLE FOUR
(4) C
The area work for the Organization shall be
Education
Health
Environment
Sanitation
Security and Protection
Disable
Sport
Culture, Tradition and Artist
Women Rights and Empowerment
Child Rights Advocacy and Protection
Gender
Human Rights
Peace Building, Healing Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation
Legal Assistance, Counseling and Psychosocial Support
Tracing
Marketing and Poverty Reduction
Training Skills
Community Development
Refugee Rights Promotion
Nutrition programs
Youth Empowerment
Drug Abuse
The Organization will Respect, Promote the following Refugee Rights
* Universal Deliration of Human rights containing 30 articles
* 1951 United Nations Conventions relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 protocol
* 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention, Governing Specific aspect of Refugee problems in Africa
* Refugee Act 2006
Appreciations
URBAN REFUGEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION would like to appreciate to the GOK and its people for the hospitality and receptions that they continue to offer to the Refuges generally and particularly to the Somali refugees, and another appreciation to the DRA, UNHCR, UN Sister Agencies UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, WFP, OCHO, GTZ, MAPENDO INTERNATIONAL, AFRICAN REFUGEE PROGRAMME ARP-GL, FARAJA SOCIETY, JRS, NARAP, WINDLE TRUST OF KENYA, PHARP,IRC, KITUO CHA SHERIA, RCK, NCC,ICRC, KRCS, KADET WORLD VISION, FAULU KENYA, KENYA NATIONAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, LRF, FIDA, THE CRADLE, CLAN, KIVULI CENTRE, KEFAT, K-REP BANK, JAIPUR, AMANI YA JUU, IOM, JVA, CARE, HIJRA ORGANIZATION for their commitments to the assistances and services they offer to the Refugees both in the Camps and in the Urban
GOD BLESS KENYA
1. Abdulrazak Omar Head of the Organization (Managing Director)
2. Halima Omar Ibar Director of all Departments
3. Yonis Abdullahi Haji Treasurer
Department Director/ Staffs/Members and International Representatives
1. Hamdi Omar Ibar Head of human Rights
2. Fadumo Abdullaahi Sicid Head Health
3. Adan Shukri hassan Bare Head of Youth
4. Abdukadir Hussein Abdulle Secretary
5. Yasmin Mohamed farah Child rights Advocacy and Protection
6. Abdukadir Mohamed Hassan Representative in UK
7. Mohamed farah Indhoy Representative in Norway
8. Fartun Omar Elmi Women Representative in UK
9. Ruqiya Ali Haji Fundraising officer in UK
10. Abdiaziz Abdifatah Ali Member
11. Amina Omar Haji Member
12. Sahra Sharif Member of Dancing Group
13. Aniso Mohamed Farah Member
14. Samiro Ahmed Farah Member
15. Kamilo Olobu Urban Refugee Coordinator
16. Deqo Osman Abdi Member
17. Sahro Omar Nurani Member
18. Abdirahman Mohamed Hassan Representative in Holland
19. Hamadi Sheikhuna Jabiri Member
20. Yahye Omar Haji Member
21. Mohamed Dahir Head of Education
22. Abshir Ali Yusuf Deputy Community Leader
23. Nimco Mohamed Daqare Member
24. Fadumo Sheikh Cise Member
25. Osman Abukar Omar Shego Member
26. Maama Baarliin Member of the women groups
27. Mohamed farah Head of Sport
28. Qasim Sheikh Mumin Representative in USA ( UTAH)
29. Saynab Ali Yusuf Member of dancing Group
30. Madino Ali Abas Member of dancing Group
31. Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Member of Dancing Group
32. Bintow Abdullahi Bijir Women Group in Eastlieght
33. Dahabo ahmed Farah Women Group in mbakasi
34. Najmo Omar Nurani Member of women in Embakasi
35. Abdiwali Mohamed Hassan Member
36. Abdiwahab Mohamed Poetry member
Green Meadow
Wheat Field
Italian River
