PARTICIPATORY ASSESSMENT 2014 · diversity (AGD) approach. The targeted groups included...
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UNHCR SUB-OFFICE DADAAB PARTICIPATORY ASSESSMENT 2014 BUILDING ON RESILIENCE
Transcript of PARTICIPATORY ASSESSMENT 2014 · diversity (AGD) approach. The targeted groups included...
UNHCR SUB-OFFICE DADAAB
PARTICIPATORY ASSESSMENT 2014 BUILDING ON RESILIENCE
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Table of Contents
Content Page
1. Table of content 2
2. Acronyms 3
3. Executive Summary 4
4. Road Map 5
5. Findings, suggestions & recommendations 7
6. Analysis & Lessons learned 21
7. Way forward 22
8. Annex 23
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Acronyms
AGDM Age, gender, diversity mainstreaming
CPPT Community peace and protection committee
DRA Department of Refugee Affairs
FAIDA Fafi integrated development agency
IGA Income generating activities
MFT Multi-functional team
NEMA National environmental management authority
NFI Non-food items
NGO Non- governmental organisation
PA Participatory assessment
POC Persons of concern
PLWD People living with disability
SGBV Sexual and gender based violence
WASH Water, sanitation and hygiene
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Photo: Right Consulting all Stakeholers in Dadaab Operations and Community Services unit Presenting the
ROAD MAY for PA excerise.
1. Executive summary
The Participatory Assessment (PA) process, commenced on 25th
and 26th
of February,
2014. The findings were shared by Mr. Ahmed Warsame, Head of Operation and rest of
the units of Dadaab operation on 28 Feb 2014. The PA is conducted annually in all
UNHCR operations, and it gathers information as accurately as possible, on the
protection risks facing the refugees, their perception as to the causes of such risks and the
communities’ capacity to seek solutions.
Owing to the complex nature of the situation in Somalia and conflict in the larger Lake
region in Africa, Dadaab Refugee Operation has been in existence since 1991.
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Photo: Community Services Officer, UNHCR explaining the results of joint consultation result for PA excerise.
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Photo: Community Services unit preparing for the field by sorting out groups verses camps verses camps.
The 2014 PA was conducted within a context shaped by some of the events in the year
2013, which included:
1. Insecurity-related incidents in Dadaab and in other parts of Kenya such as
Garissa, Mombasa and Nairobi.
2. The tripartite agreement signed in November, 2013 between the Government of
Kenya, Somalia and UNHCR on the repatriation of Somali refugees.
3. The outbreak of polio disease in Dadaab, considered to have originated from
Somalia and the free movement across the border.
4. Refugee general elections held in August 2013, across all the camps that
advocated for 50% women representation.
5. The verification exercise that reflected a population of 402,481refugees in Dadaab
as of 31st August 2013.
The results of the 2014 PA revealed some of the important challenges facing persons of
concern in Dadaab refugee camps. The challenges include insecurity, domestic violence,
child abuse, poor performance of schools, food insecurity, hygiene related diseases and
lack of information.
The PA process also confirmed that the persons of concern have the capacity to
contribute towards the solution of their problems. This includes supporting community
policing, reporting incidents of violence to the relevant authorities, participating actively
in the management of schools, and promoting proper hygiene practices.
In protection, vulnerable groups such as persons with disability, single mothers and the
elderly were assessed as being at heightened protection risk. The causes include the
challenge in accessing services, stigma and lack of strong social support mechanisms.
There were varied views regarding voluntary return to Somalia and there was very little
interest in the subject amongst the youth and children.
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Photo: community Services Team coordination with Supply unit for logistics.
2. Road Map
The participatory assessment preparation commenced in January 2014, with a road-map
to guide the process as presented below.
The assessment was conducted in all camps in Dadaab and in Alinjugur. The year’s
themes were health and nutrition, voluntary repatriation, protection, food basket,
livelihood, water and sanitation, community communication and education.
Date Item Venue Stakeholder
20/01/14 Briefing with
UNHCR MFT
Banki 1 MFT
03/02/14 Meeting with
partners/MFT &
sharing themes
Banki 1 UNHCR
MFT/Partners/Police/UNHCR
Security/Sister UN agencies
07/02/14 Presentation of draft
tools by respective
teams & roadmap
plan
Banki 1 MFT
17/02/14-
21/02/14
Identification &
mobilisation of
target groups
Camps Camp teams
21/02/14 Final meeting Banki 1 UNHCR
MFT/Partners/Police/UNHCR
Security/Sister UN agencies
25-26 February,
2014
P.A. with refugees Camps Camp teams/ALL
stakeholders
27th
February,
2014
Data
compilation/report-
drafting
TBC CS Unit
28th
February,
2014
Presentation of the
initial findings
Banki Moon2 CS/Theme leaders
04/03/14 Report writing
process
Dadaab CS Unit
Last quarter of ‘Town-hall All camps CS unit
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2014 feedback’ with
refugees
Photo: MFT and Partners getting
ready for exercise to be
conducted at blocks.
The process began with the formation of multi-functional teams comprising UNHCR and
partner staff and drawn from different sectors such as health and child protection.
Meetings were held with key opinion leaders in the refugee community to plan for the
participatory exercise. The multi-functional teams also undertook to do the following:
i. To review existing information related to the Dadaab operation and the previous
participatory assessment exercise of 2013.
ii. To work with community opinion leaders, government agencies, implementing
partners and other stakeholders to conduct the assessment.
iii. To hold dialogue with the refugee community at the camp level in seeking to
understand their issues, their capacity and proposed solutions.
iv. Share feedback with the community and other stakeholders.
Inter-agency camp teams were formed and they went out to hold consultations with the
community and identify their key concerns. The prioritized issues were:
a) Health & Nutrition
b) Voluntary Repatriation
c) Protection
d) Food basket
e) Livelihood
f) WASH
g) Community Communication
h) Education
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When the pertinent issues had been identified, the multi-functional team developed tools
that would be used to facilitate dialogue with the community (see annex). This was done
through focus group discussions with different groups, within the age, gender and
diversity (AGD) approach.
The targeted groups included community-based committees, religious leaders, minority
groups, persons with disability, the elderly, the youth, men, women, single mothers,
single fathers, boys and girls.
The groups were mobilized through community-based structures and agencies in Dadaab.
Participating agencies were:
ADEO
AVSI
CVT
CARE
DRC
DRA
FAIDA
FILM AID
GIZ
HI
IOM
IRC
KRCS
LWF
NRC
NCCK
RCK
RRDO
SAVE THE
CHILDREN
UNHCR
UNICEF
WTK
WFP
DADAAB F.M.
GARGAR F.M.
3. Findings, suggestions & recommendations
I. Community Communication and Accountability
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From the participatory assessment findings, different channels of information were in
use, by both the refugee community and the agencies working in Dadaab. The refugee
community identified ways in which information can be shared more accurately and
timely and how feedback mechanisms can be improved. They also expressed an interest
to be involved in project planning and implementation.
Key findings
1. The key sources of information were identified to include refugee leaders, radio
stations, notice boards, announcements through megaphones, sessions in schools,
community and health workers, members of different committees, Parents-
Teachers-Associations (PTA), Community Peace Promotion Teams (CPPT),
internet, television and informal information sharing (e.g. at the water taps).
2. Information dissemination from the agencies through refugee leaders was said to
be often neither timely nor accurate and did not reach all persons of concern
(PoC).
3. Areas in which more information is required were identified to include:
a) Job opportunities and recruitment process
b) DRA taking over camp management
c) Refugees’ country-of-origin information to ease return decision
d) Repatriation and support to returnees
e) Issuance of any refugee documentation i.e. ID cards, birth and death
certificates, ration cards
f) Ration cards for new arrivals
g) Agencies’ plans concerning shelter (especially for those living in T-
Shelters)
h) Food basket (reduction and food scale)
i) Distribution of NFIs and firewood
j) Resettlement: scheduling of interviews and opportunities for resettlement
k) Security situation in the camps
l) Children’s rights, including rights for education
m) Disease control, hygiene, referral of medical cases, safe motherhood
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4. The smaller nationalities felt that they were often left out during information
sharing. Most radio announcements and notice boards are in Somali language
only.
5. PoCs actively search for information by approaching refugee leaders, agencies’
offices, community workers, notice boards, police and learning institutions.
6. The groups felt that they rely on refugee leaders to give feedback to the agencies
and that their concerns are often not transmitted.
7. Views expressed by women were that they are not involved in giving feedback to
agencies
8. PoCs felt excluded in the planning, implementation and evaluation of projects
Solutions proposed by the community 1. Forums should include a wide range of refugee representatives (not only leaders)
and involve elderly, small nationalities, women, youth, religious leaders etc.
2. Agencies should not concentrate on selected issues to discuss with PoC and
should allow community representatives to attend interagency meetings
3. Information should be disseminated through local radio stations (Star FM, Dadaab
FM), local print media, video (Film Aid), megaphone announcements in the
blocks, social media to reach youth, SMS messages and meetings with agency
staff at block level
4. Access to agencies’ by PoCs offices to be eased
5. Erect notice boards at the block levels
6. Agencies should be sensitive to the informational needs of the minority groups.
7. Agencies to employ more community workers (who should work in their own
communities)
8. Actively include refugee community to receive information about security
situation in camps and criminal elements.
Recommendations
1. Support refugee leaders to effectively share information
2. Ensure PoCs receive direct information through meetings, radio, print media,
SMS, radio stations, community leaders, notice boards, schools, health posts and
other channels.
3. Actively involve PoC in planning and implementation of projects and in sharing
feedback.
4. Reach small nationalities and other groups through targeted communication at the
community level.
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5. More radio talks and information sharing programmes through media to which
can be heard and information easily accessible to all refugees at same level to
every group of refugees’ caseload.
II. Education
Participants discussed a wide range of issues in education, including enrolment,
infrastructure and community capacity and contribution.
Key findings
1. There was a general poor performance by schools in the camps and in Garissa
county in the national examinations in 2013
2. School systems are not sufficiently catering for special needs Education
3. High school dropout rates
4. Some school facilities are old, dilapidated buildings and are not safe for learning
to take place in
5. Inability to handle medical emergencies/ cases in schools
6. Scarcity of Female teachers
7. Untrained teachers
8. Limited adult literacy opportunities
9. Early Marriage
10. Insecurity
11. More emphasis on girls empowerment than boys
12. Syllabus not completed in time
13. Congested Classrooms
Solutions proposed by the community
1. Leaders should engage in conflict resolution
2. Parents should follow up the progress of their children in school
3. Spirit of Volunteerism
4. Active participation by the Parent Teachers Association
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5. Community participation in preparation of meals in the school feeding
programmes
6. Community to encourage women in school activities
7. Elderly people have skills on livelihoods that they can teach others within the
community
8. Create awareness on the importance of respecting school properties
Recommendations
1. Hire qualified teachers
2. Provide both boys and girls uniforms and books
3. Enhance School Feeding Program
4. Engage PTAs in all school activities
5. Distributions of solar lamps at the Household Level to promote study at home
6. Construction of more classrooms
7. Integration of special need requirements in all schools.
8. Capacity building of current teachers to be able to handle all pupils equally
9. Provision of first aid and sanitary kits
10. Hiring of more female teachers
11. Identify skilled people among the Elderly and Integrate them in various
committees
12. Open more Adult literacy facilities
13. Conduct community sensitization on education in the camp
14. Renovation of broken fences and action for vandals
III. Food Basket
The change in food basket and reduction of food ration by WFP late 2013 was a major
concern of the community which felt that even what was being given prior to that was not
enough to cater for a 15-day cycle. The community added that since food was a sensitive
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matter, they would appreciate if they are consulted before major decisions are made. For
example sorghum, which was included in the food basket, is not popular in the Somali
culture and some community members feed it to livestock instead of consuming it.
Key findings
1. Elderly persons applauded the provision of green grams to elderly persons as part
of supplementary feeding, but it was not enough. They requested that the fresh
food voucher be extended to them.
2. The community was generally not happy with the introduction of biometrics.
Some complained that sick people are forced to go to the distribution center and
that students are forced to miss classes. They also complained of the process
being too slow.
3. Implementation of the fresh food voucher for pregnant women by WFP is very
popular and much welcomed by the community.
4. Some community members were not aware of the opportunity for allocating
alternate food collectors for vulnerable persons and child headed households.
5. The new policy of absentees not receiving food on the last day was not welcomed
because one can miss due to other priorities like visiting the hospital, attending
interviews at UNHCR, reporting cases to the agencies or attending a funeral. They
claimed that the policy needs to be more flexible, since missing food for 15 days
makes an entire family suffer, especially the children.
6. Cases of under-scooping were mentioned, with the community claiming that there
is a cartel of food distribution staff who collude to sell the food that remains.
7. The community is not enthusiastic about installation of a rotating metal gate at
the distribution by WFP
Solutions proposed by the community
1. WFP should remove sorghum and re-introduce wheat flour in the food basket.
They should also consider increasing the food ration.
2. Increase livelihood opportunities and skills training so that the community can
have alternative source of meeting their needs and improve nutrition.
3. UNHCR/WFP should consider allocating over- aged students alternate food
collectors as this has a direct impact on their performance.
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Recommendations
1. Ensure community participation when discussing issues affecting food basket.
2. The food basket should also address need of the minority traditional food like
non-Somalis.
3. Map out vulnerable persons and allocate them alternate food collectors.
4. Increase monitoring at FDP to ensure that the refugees get their food entitlements.
IV. Health and Nutrition
From the discussions, the community acknowledged general improvement in the
provision health services. Unlike in Hagadera where the community cited improvement
in medical emergency response due to the availability of community taxis on 24 hours
basis, the other camps reported poor medical emergency response especially at night and
during weekends. The community also cited the burden of unregistered new arrival who
they have to share the little food that they receive as a factor contributing to malnutrition.
Awareness on health issues was lowest amongst children and new arrivals.
Key findings
1. There remains a gap in medical care for PWD, the mentally sick, elderly,
individuals with chronic illnesses and other medical conditions that need
specialized attention.
2. There is ignorance and limited access to information on health related issues. For
example in a group of 16 elderly women, only one had basic knowledge of HIV
/AIDS. However, the community was more enlighten on the polio vaccination
campaign which has been running for several months.
3. The minority groups complained of discrimination in accessing health services.
They attributed this to lack of incentive workers from their communities in the
health post.
4. Most of the community members were not clear on the medical emergency
referral pathway in regards to accessing the ambulance or mama taxi.
5. The community was not very confident with the services provided at the
maternity and opts for traditional birth attendants. Some complained that
“mothers are rushed to the theatre for caesarean operations even when it is not
necessary”.
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6. The community complained of inadequate medical supplies in the hospital. They
claimed that they are sometimes forced to buy prescribed medication from the
community pharmacies since the hospital stock is always out. They claimed that
some drugs from the hospital find their way to the market.
7. The community highlighted poor nutrition due to under scooping at the
distribution centres and the reduction of food ration by WFP. They also
acknowledge selling part of their ration in order to meet other needs.
8. Implementation of the fresh food voucher for pregnant women by WFP is very
popular and much welcomed by the community.
9. There is an insufficient supplementary feeding programme for persons with
chronic illnesses as what is provided for by WFP does not provide the nutrition
value that is recommended.
Solutions proposed by the community
1. The medical agencies to create awareness on how the community can access the
ambulances and mama taxis during emergencies.
2. The medical partner could consider engaging medical specialists like cardiologist,
gynaecologists, ophthalmologists etc. on permanent basis or on monthly
consultancy.
3. Increase the number of minority groups as incentive health workers
4. Improved maternity care and engage more community midwives in the health
system
5. Extend the food voucher programme to cater for the whole population. This will
ensure that the refugees will be able to purchase foods of their choice according to
their dietary need.
Recommendations
1. Continuous creation of awareness on hospital delivery.
2. Simplified information on health and nutrition targeting all age groups to be
disseminated through the radio, schools and religious institutions.
3. Increase the capacity of mental health and psycho-social support.
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4. Close monitoring of medical supply stock.
5. Increase access to specialized care by expanding palliative care and home based
care services for chronic cases.
V. WASH
The interviewees concerns included issues on latrines, water supply and the incidence of
preventable diseases.
Key findings
1. Disease Outbreak due to poor hygiene practices
2. Inadequate water supply
3. No alternative sources for watering domestic animals
4. Inadequate water storage facilities at the Household level and sharing water with
livestock
5. Access and use of latrines by girls at school
6. Lack of adequate latrines
7. Number of persons per tap stand
8. Disability-unfriendly structures
Solutions proposed by the community
1. Community to build their own latrines when provided with materials.
2. Improvise building materials for the superstructures
3. Purchase of water from host community
4. Harvesting of rain water
5. Refugees purchasing jerry cans
6. Material to be provided for building latrines
7. Harvesting of rain water
8. Increase water supply
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9. Girls latrines should be constructed far from boys latrines & have screens to
provide privacy
Recommendations
1. Sensitization on general Hygiene
2. Provide inputs in design and location of girls latrines during construction of
schools
3. Training on peaceful coexistence
4. Increase soap distributions to Improve hygiene
5. Purchase locally (PoC) produced soap
6. Spray latrines occasionally to eradicate insects
7. Monitoring of boreholes by agencies and community leaders
8. Construction of disability- friendly structures
VI. Livelihood
The Dadaab livelihood projects target both the protracted population and the new
arrivals. For the protracted population, a semblance of a functional society has been
formed and as such, livelihood activities are geared towards improving the standard of
living, and self-actualization. For the arrivals of 2010 onwards whose societal systems are
newly established, livelihood activities are geared towards raising the standard of living,
rebuilding a working society and protection of those with no/ or weak support system.
Key findings;
1) The Government of Kenya Policies was mentioned as a hindrance to development
of livelihoods opportunities for the refugees. Such polices according to the
persons of concern include and are not limited to;
Stiffening of the encampment policy, hence, freedom of the refugees
movement to travel outside the camps to find work is restricted
Greater political push for return has affected refugees perception and
morale on establishing businesses/Livelihood intervention structures
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The ‘high’ taxation of already vulnerable refugee businesses
2) The lack of capital for starting enterprises. High percentage of the refugees
depend on food rations distributed by UNHCR and WFP hence have no other
sources of income except selling parts of the food rations collected.
3) Lack of a common market for refugee products. Some camps such as IFOII and
Kambioos were mentioned as lacking established market sites unlike the older
camps
4) Limited technical training institutions within the Dadaab operation. The YEP
centres are the only available tertiary institutions that support the refugee youth.
However, the community acknowledge the coming of the Kenyatta University in
the region
5) High illiteracy level especially among the older generation was mentioned by the
community. These they claim have an impact on the growth and sustainability of
livelihoods intervention projects in the camp.
6) The volatile security nature in the camps, the increased criminality largely affects
the business community in the camps.
7) Limited funding for Livelihoods intervention. Livelihood is considered by most
humanitarian actors as a component of other programmes rather than treating as a
one main programme of its own
Solutions proposed by the community:
1) UNHCR to promote livelihoods opportunity through the provisions of seed capital
to the persons of concern
2) Provision of Alien cards and Movement passes to refugees willing to travel
outside the camps for livelihoods opportunities
3) Construction of more technical Institutions within the refugee camps
4) Establishment of common markets within the refugee camps
5) Static police based within the sections/blocks in the camps
6) Improved security measures in and around the already existing business premises
7) Strengthening the community policing by Improving the relations of the Kenyan
Police and the Refugee community
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8) Registration of the new arrivals who currently live in the camps
9) Consistent night patrols by the security agencies I.e. the Kenya Police
Recommendation:
1) Advocacy with the GoK on restricted movements of refugees seeking livelihood
opportunities I.e. Issuance of Alien cards and Movement passes
2) Establishment of common markets in the camps I.e. Markets for IFOII and
Kambioos camp
3) Strengthening of community policing within the camps
4) Providing street lights in order to mitigate the risks of insecurity/criminality at
night.
5) Registration of new arrivals
6) Advocate for more funding for livelihood intervention projects
7) Equipping the existing technical institutions with more material and human
resources
VII. Protection
The participatory assessment identified different forms of protection challenges,
including insecurity and sexual and gender-based violence. Advocacy was recommended
as one of the best approaches to champion the rights of all persons of concern. The
suspension of new arrival registration by the Government of Kenya and difficulty in
obtaining critical documents such as alien cards and movement passes were cited as some
of the significant challenges affecting protection.
Key findings
1. There are different forms of domestic violence associated with factors like
conflict over scarce resources such as food and water.
2. Child Abuse was reported to be prevalent and due to poverty, idle school drop
outs, peer pressure and child labour.
3. Insecurity was identified as a concern and linked to unemployment, denial of
registration by the Government, insufficient police patrols, clan conflicts, political
situation in Somalia, banditry around the camps, shelter design (esp. the T-shelter
and plastic sheets) and lack of adequate lighting systems in the camps.
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4. There are separated and unaccompanied children left behind due to spontaneous
of their caregivers return to Somalia.
5. It is difficult to access important documents such as Alien card and Movement
Pass and this is made worse by the suspension of registration of new arrivals,
alleged corruption of Government officials, bureaucracy in the process, limited
manpower in Alien cards registration and distribution, and lack of confidential
channels to report alleged corruption.
6. There are incidents of forced and early marriages due to cultural beliefs and
practices.
7. Incidence of sexual and gender-based violence associated with search for
firewood, idle youth, lack of finances to marry, poor shelters.
8. Members of smaller nationalities feel discriminated at the food distribution points
by other refugees.
Solutions proposed by the community 1. Capacity building of community leaders in conflict resolution objectively
2. Promote peer education and mentorship programmes
3. 24-hour Police patrols
4. Registration of new arrivals
5. Improve shelter design (Mud bricks/ISSB)
6. Promote livelihood activities
7. Sensitize community on care of children in regard to voluntary return to Somalia.
8. Advocate for the active presence of DRA in all the camps
9. Provide enough fire wood so that girls do not go to the bush
10. Provide livelihood activities and recreation for the youth
11. Provide mud brick shelters for all
12. Promote peace-building activities to enhance harmonious co-existence
13. Monitoring of food distribution activities.
Recommendations
1. Advocate for the establishment of law courts in the camp.
2. Enhancement of enrolment drives in schools
3. Creation of livelihood opportunities
4. Enhance Police patrols
5. Lighting systems (solar lights erected at hotspots areas)
6. Mapping and identification of children rendered UAMs/separated children due to
voluntary return.
7. Training and sensitization the security guards on the rights of the refugees
8. Employ more female security guards
9. Advocate for regular registration of new arrivals
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10. Design and construct more secure houses
11. Promote use of alternative fuel such as solar energy
VIII. Voluntary Repatriation
With the signing of the tripartite agreement on voluntary repatriation by UNHCR,
Somalia and Kenyan governments has caused some anxiety with most refugees assuming
that they will be forced to go back to Somalia. General misinformation on voluntary
return was noted especially by women and children of all ages. Most of them were not
aware of the UNHCR’s return desk where they can get information. Most of the
participants indicated that they are not willing to return as there is no peace in the
country.
Key findings
1. There are people who have gone back to Somalia leaving behind their children
with relatives and neighbours. This spontaneous return poses a challenge for child
protection as the children become susceptible to exploitation and abuse.
2. In Ifo 2, it was reported that family disputes especially on issues of child custody
have come up where some members of the family want to return to Somalia while
others want to stay back.
3. Those who are interested in return have not been given clear information on
return package and logistics involved.
4. The youth and children indicated that they would not be willing to return to
Somalia as they don’t know much about Somalia and where they would return to.
They were of the opinion that voluntary repatriation should not be effected until
Somalia become more stable and establish proper systems for essential services
especially education system.
5. The elderly men indicated that they have up-to-date information on Somalia and
are aware of on-going fighting/conflicts in areas where suggests to be peaceful i.e.
Kismayu, Luuq and Baidoa regions. The community gets information on Somalia
from the media and relatives who are still there.
Recommendation
1. Proper dissemination of the voluntary repatriation/ return information to the
whole population through mass media and information
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2. With the help of the community, identify and assess cases of children who have
been separated to ensure that they are well protected.
4. Analysis and Lessons learned
Mama taxi
From the early days in the Dadaab refugee camps, access to services for persons of
concern has been a challenge. One unique demonstration of this is how women on the
verge of giving birth would face difficulties reaching the health facilities, especially at
night. Through community initiative, it was realized that some enterprising taxi drivers
would be available to offer this service at a fee, regardless of the location or hour of the
night! With the support of health agencies, this initiative was of great benefit for pregnant
women and the taxi service facilitating this was therefore aptly dubbed, ‘mama taxi.’
In many ways ‘mama taxi’ embodies the scenario that is the Dadaab operation; many of
the challenges the persons of concern face are best confronted through a right-based,
community-centred approach. Take the example of education. Over the years,
surmounting the challenge of school enrolment has been an uphill task. Setting up
schools and building more classes was not sufficient. In partnership with the community,
one of the solutions to this problem has been to work in collaboration with religious
‘schools’ (madrassa) to promote formal education.
In 2014, the discussions with the community proposed solutions consistent with the
‘mama taxi’ analogy. In WASH for example, it was recommended that to prevent the
outbreak of hygiene-related diseases, community members should build their own
latrines, while the agencies support the provision of materials.
Voluntary repatriation
While voluntary repatriation remained a significant theme in 2014, the PA findings
reflected very little enthusiasm amongst the youth and children to return home. This may
be attributed to their limited knowledge of the situation in Somalia, as many of them were
born and raised in Dadaab refugee camps. The findings point to the need for continued
collaboration between different stakeholders to facilitate information-sharing that would
help the refugees make informed choices. This should also encourage the efforts within
the tripartite agreement entered between the governments of Kenya and Somalia and
UNHCR.
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5. Way forward
From the lessons learned in the PA 2014 process, the following recommendations are
made:
I. Information-sharing should be strengthened to empower the persons of concern in
decision-making e.g. on repatriation
II. Follow-up steps for the PA should be made to ensure feedback is shared with the
PoCs and recommended actions implemented.
III. Livelihood activities should be strengthened
IV. Education stakeholders should work together to improve the performance of
schools in national examinations.
V. Community participation should be enhanced to ensure community ownership
and promote community-grown solutions.
Photo:
Debriefing the results of PA exercise by Community Services Officer
Farkhanda Anwar
Community Services Officer, UNHCR Dadaab Operations
Kenya
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Annex
1. Concept Note
The Dadaab refugee operation currently hosts over 400,000 persons of concern, spread
over the five camps in Hagadera, Kambioos, Ifo 1, Ifo 2 and Dagahaley. Out of a
population of 408,283 persons of concern registered as of December 2013, about 51% are
female and 49% are male. Children constitute about 50% of the entire population.
The camp is predominantly home to refugees of Somali origin. However, there are
minority nationalities including Ethiopians, South Sudanese, Congolese, Ugandan,
Eritreans, Rwandese, Tanzanian, Cameroonian, Burundian and Sudanese.
Purpose
UNHCR adopts the age, gender and diversity mainstreaming approach in programming to
ensure that the rights of all persons of concern are safeguarded. To achieve this, UNHCR
employs participatory assessment as a mainstreaming tool. Participatory assessment is a
process that seeks to have the input of men, women, girls and boys of all ages and
backgrounds through a structured dialogue.
Context
Some of the key issues of concern in Dadaab, as raised by refugees in previous
assessments include security, livelihood, education, issues regarding specific groups such
as persons living with disability, and shelter.
A number of key issues that occurred in 2013 may inform the interventions in 2014,
including:
6. Terrorist-related events at the West-gate mall in Nairobi, in Mombasa and also in
Dadaab and the reaction of government and non-governmental actors in Kenya
and beyond.
7. The tripartite agreement signed in November, 2013 between the Government of
Kenya, Somalia and UNHCR on the repatriation of Somali refugees.
8. Polio in Dadaab attributed to an outbreak in Somalia and the free movement
across the border.
9. Refugee general elections held in August 2013, across all the camps that
advocated for 50% women representation.
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10. Dismal performance by primary schools in the camp in the Kenya Certificate of
Primary Education examination.
11. The verification exercise that reflected a population of 402,481refugees as of 31st
August 2013, down from the previously officially-held figure of 486,913
refugees.
Given the context, five focus areas have been prioritized in the 2014 participatory
assessment exercise, namely:
I. Health/mental health
II. Voluntary Repatriation
III. Education, Protection and Child Protection
IV. Food, Nutrition and Livelihood
Health as an issue was highlighted due to the challenges faced in 2013, including the
outbreak of polio.
Durable solutions have continued to be a significant feature in Dadaab, owing to the
complexity of protection concerns facing refugees that is compounded by increased
insecurity in Kenya, Somalia and the greater horn of Africa region. The signed Tripartite
Agreement on Voluntary Repatriation signed in November, 2013 will have an impact on
durable solutions.
Schools in Dadaab generally performed poorly in the 2013 national primary schools’
examination, posting way below the average of 250 marks. It will be useful to interact
with stakeholders in Education, child protection and the refugee community at large to
understand the root causes of the dismal performance, to inform strategies in 2014 and
beyond.
The overall prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM) in the five camps stood at
9.9% in 2013. Anaemia still remains a major public health concern in Dadaab camps
especially among the children, with the overall prevalence of total anaemia in children
aged 6-59 months is at 44.4% and 60% in children 6-23 months.
The general security situation in Kenya and in the region has remained volatile,
especially in regard to terrorist-attributed incidents which ultimately has affected
freedoms of refugees in camps. The attack at the West-Gate Mall in Nairobi was an
indicator of the prevailing security scenarios. Dadaab refugee camp was hit by a series of
improvised explosive devises, especially targeting security agents.
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Methodology:
Community Services unit will be the lead unit involving all sectors/units in Dadaab
operation/UN agencies/Partners/Government authorities.
The participatory assessment exercise will be conducted through focus group discussions
and observation with persons of concern on AGDM concept. It will be carried by multi-
functional teams in each camp and will bring together UNHCR, other UN agencies,
NGOs, and relevant government agencies and POC.
The exercise will be conducted on 25 and 26 of February, 2014 in all the 5 camps in the
Dadaab operation.
An interagency/partners and UNHCR training is planned on 20th
February, 2014 to
discuss further on methodology and development of tools.
2. TOOLS
Community Communications and Accountability
1. Please give an example when you received information about the activities of the
humanitarian agencies. What was it about? How did you receive the info?
(examples: how did you learn about WFP’s cut in food rations, UNHCR’s activities
concerning voluntary return or the Polio Campaigns?)
2. Through which ways do you usually receive information from the aid agencies?
Which other ways of communication should be in place? What would be your
preferred way to receive information from aid agencies?
(examples: radio messages, info through refugee leaders)
3. How can the refugee community support information sharing?
4. Are there any critical areas that you feel you should be more informed about?
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5. If you are not receiving information, where do you go to ask for it?
6. When you receive information and you have questions that need to be clarified,
what do you do or where do you go to get your answers?
7. In general, how do you give feedback to the aid agencies about their activities?
What structures support the refugee community to share their concerns with
agencies?
8. How is the feedback received by agencies? How do the aid agencies change their
actions?
9. What ways would you propose for giving feedback to the humanitarian agencies
when there is an issue of concern?
10. As a community how are you involved in implementation of projects?
11. Have you ever participated in any evaluation or survey? How did you receive
feedback on the findings?
12. What do you think is the best way for agencies to share feedback on evaluations?
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Education
1. How many PTAs/SMs are in your School?
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2. Do they hold meetings? How often do you meet? How often do you meet
Agencies and UNHCR?
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3. In your own opinion, do you think it’s important to have PTAs/SMCs? Give
reasons.
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4. What are reasons for low performance in KCPE and KCSE examination?
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5. Please suggest for away forward to improve poor performance.
Food basket and Fresh Food Vouchers
1. What do you like about the 1) food basket (include green grams and CSB++) 2) food
distribution 3)Fresh food voucher programme? Is there anything that you don’t like? If
so please explain.
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2. What types of problems are getting the attention they need in relation to food? Are
there any problems which are not getting the attention they need? If so which ones?
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3. Are there some people/groups in the community who have more difficulties accessing
food services than others? If so which groups and what challenges do they face?
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4. What do you see as possible solutions to these and what is the community’s capacity?
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Health & Nutrition
1. What do you like about the health and nutrition services? Is there anything
that you don’t like? If so please explain.
Remarks: This is a very important question on feedback we expect from the community.
We would like also to hear not only complains but also notice on the changes and
achievements. The answer will reflect the changed needs of the community in order to
adjust our services.
2. What types of health and nutrition problems are getting the attention they
need? Are there any health and nutrition problems which are not getting
the attention they need? If so which ones?
Remarks: In our view through the data and routine dialogues with the patients we have a
good knowledge of the pathologies common in camp society. At the same time some new
challenges we are facing with the new comers and “silent” socially neglected cases (exp
– abortion, harmful practices). The answer will facilitate us to put more emphasis on the
prevention of the complications on the early stages.
3. Are there some people/groups in the community who have more challenges
accessing health and nutrition services than others? If so which groups and
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what challenges do they face? What do you see as possible solutions to these
and what is the community’s capacity?
Remarks: this is in line with the UNHCR AGDM approach. We should know about the
most at risk and most vulnerable categories of patients. The answer will help us to follow
the AGDM strategy
4. Are there any challenges you face in feeding young children? If yes what
challenges. What do you see as the possible solutions to these and what is
the community capacity?
Remarks: Despite many efforts and input on the nutritional field of activities we still
facing the challenges on malnutrition and anemia rates reduction. We would like to
understand more the challenges of the community in nutrition and to see what kind of
solution they would like to propose. The answer will help us to readjust activities on all
levels of prevention/treatment/follow up.
5. What types of health problems are most widespread in the community and
what do you think are the causes?
Remarks: The history of recent outbreaks showed the poor hygiene and health education
of the community despite the long term presence and efforts on it given. This answer will
help us to understand the weak points and to allow us to improve the health messages.
6. Where do people go to seek when they are not well? What happens if they
get sick at night or over the weekend? If they use to go to the privet clinics –
why?
Remarks: There are so many privet clinics in the camps. We have evidences of the
malpractices provided by privet clinic and we have little knowledge of why/how people
consider them in health seeking behavior. The answer will help us to evaluate the health
seeking behavior of the refugees and to adjust our services to the changed needs.
7. What do you know about HIV/AIDS?
Remark: This is to evaluate the perceptions and stigma of the HIV among the population.
As we know there are some wrong perceptions and believes still exist. The answer will
help us to restructure our Community based approaches in HIV
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Protection
To adults (this could also be adapted to elders)
- Do you believe there is a good number of community representation of women
and men in leadership?
- Are you a foster parent?
- Does violence occur? What types of violence?
- Do you feel that your physical safety and security are at risk? At what time?
Why?
- What is the source of the danger? Who is involved?
- How does the community resolve conflict? Do you think the measures you use are
enough?
- Do you have access to the Courts, Khadis to resolve conflict?
- Do you have any problems obtaining documentation? (ration cards/ID
cards/Movement passes/proof of registration/birth certificates)
- Have you ever participated in a Child Rights and child protection training? (yes;
No; I don’t remember)
- What do you know about the rights of children? Can you share your
understanding with us? (yes; no; I don’t know; yes, but cannot name 3 rights)
- Which are the main abuses that children suffer from in your Community? (Abuse
is used here as a general terminology to address neglect, exploitation, abuse and
violence). Which one affect the most children in the camps right now?
- Why do you think it happens?
- What could the Community do to change this situation? What could you do?
What actions would you take when you witness a child being neglected, exploited
or abused?
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- What do you feel is your role in the community on protection of children?
- Do you know where to get support if a child has been abused? (Where is the 1st
place you would go to get support if your child had been abused? Who would you
talk to if your child had been abused?)
- According to you, what is a harmful practice? Could you give me examples?
- What is the acceptable form of discipline for children by the community
- Do you think that children should be beaten up as a form of discipline? If yes or
no => why?
- Do you think that children lie about being abused/victims of violence?
- How do you settle conflicts involving abuse of children in the community.
To children
- Do you feel safe where you live? Why
- What are the main abuses children suffer from in your neighborhood? Can you
tell us who abused them? (Someone from the family? Someone else?)
- What could the Community/your parents/your relatives do to change this
situation?
- In the last month, do you have friends who have been abused? Do you know who
abused them?
- Do you know where to get support if you or any of your friends were abused?
- Where is the 1st place you would go to get support if you were abused? Who
would you talk to?
- According to you, what is a harmful practice? Could you give examples?
- Do you think children should be disciplined? What form of discipline would you
like?
- Do you think that children should be beaten up? If yes or no => why?
- Do you think that children can be abused by members of their families?
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- What do you think about children with disabilities? Do you have friend with
disabilities?
- What do you know about child rights?
- Can you name 3 rights of a child that you know (yes; no; I don’t know; yes, but
cannot name 3 rights)
- Do you know how the community solves conflicts/problems?
- What do you know about the Maslaha? What do you think about it?
In addition to adolescents
- Have you ever listened to child protection programmes on the radio? What was
the topic(s) discussed?
- Do you know what gender is?
- Do you feel you are treated differently by the community because you are a boy
or a girl? Explain how that makes you feel
- What type of information would you like to have access to about your rights as a
girl? As a boy?
- At which age do you think that girls or boys should get married?
- Do you know many people below 18 who are married in the community.
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Return related
To adults
- Do you care of children who are not biologically yours?
- If the answer is yes, how many children? When did these children arrive in the
camps? Which services do they have access to (specify education, nutrition,
health, etc.)
- As a foster parent, have you been trained on parenting skills and positive
discipline, child rights and protection?
- Can you name 3 rights of a child that you know (yes; no; I don’t know; yes, but
cannot name 3 rights)
- Are the parents of these children still alive? If yes, do you know where the parents
are at the moment? Did you have any contact with the parents in the past (1)
month; (2) 6 months; (3) 12 months? If no, how do you know? Has any family
tracing procedure been initiated? If so, which organisation supported you during
the process?
- Are the parents of these children (1) your siblings; (2) family members (e.g.
grand-parents; uncles; aunts, etc.); (3) non-family-members?
- If the parents are non-family members: what can you tell us about the parents?
- Do you know what the return helpdesks are? Do you know what the procedure is
to return to Somalia with Children who are not biologically yours?
- What should be done to protect children on transit and after settling in Somalia?
To children
- Have you heard about the return to Somalia process?
- If so, what can you tell me about it?
- Have you approached UNHCR return helpdesk? If yes, what information were
you looking for?
- What do you know about Somalia?
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- Would you like to go to Somalia? If yes: Why would you like to go to Somalia?
Where would you like to go? If no, why would you like to stay in Kenya?
- What could improve in your life if you moved to Somalia? To another country?
- Do you think that you are a Kenyan or a Somali?
Livelihood
1) What is your understanding on Livelihoods, What type of livelihoods activities
would you prefer?
2) What are the activities (monetary and non-monetary) do members of your
household engage in to make a living? Are there any livelihoods training that you
have obtained so far and how does these impact your livelihoods opportunities i.e.
In terms of access to the market?
3) What skills/livelihoods do you think will be needed most in the event of returning
to your country of origin?
4) What are the limitations of accessing livelihood activities?
5) What do you see as possible solutions to these and what is the community’s
capacity?
