Helping Refugees From Somalia In Ethiopia And Kenya

Christian Fuchs's picture
Submitted by Christian Fuchs on Tue, 07/26/2011 - 11:03am

July 26, 2011 — In the midst of one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent times affecting the Horn of Africa, Jesuit Refugee Service has announced plans to step up ongoing work for Somalis in Ethiopia and Kenya, and establish new services in the former.

"We have been serving Somalis for many years and are aware of their needs. We are preparing to help increased flows of traumatized survivors restore normality to their lives. This is a long-term commitment, as psychosocial and education services are key to helping bring stability to refugees' lives. As our budget is already stretched, we urge the public to help us out in whatever way possible," said JRS Eastern Africa Director Fr. Frido Pflueger, S.J.

Years of conflict and sporadic droughts have displaced nearly two million Somalis and the figures are rising quickly. As of July 20, more than 120,000 Somalis had fled into Kenya and Ethiopia. This month as many as 3,000 refugees have been arriving daily into the two countries.

"While the number of Somali refugees served by JRS at the moment is relatively low, the types of services offered, such as counseling, are resource intensive. If, as expected, JRS begins offering education services in Dollo Ado camp in Ethiopia, this number will increase dramatically. We are now seeking resources for this new intervention," said Fr. Pflueger.

JRS teams currently assist nearly 4,000 vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in Addis Ababa, providing educational, recreational, training and psychosocial support services, as well as emergency assistance. Learn more about JRS in Ethiopia here.

JRS teams in Nairobi and Kakuma camp currently respond to the needs of 12,500 vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees, offering educational support, food and non-food items and financial, medical and psychosocial assistance, including the training of counselors and mental health workers. Women facing gender violence also find protection at the JRS safe haven.

Adapted from story on the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA website.