Kenya is host to tens of thousands of refugees who have fled conflict in neighbouring countries such as Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia.  In December 2007, post-election violence in Kenya itself led to at least 1,000 killed and 350,000 forced from their homes.

The International Rescue Committee has been active in Kenya since 1992, providing essential services to refugees and the communities who host them. Kakuma refugee camp in Greater Turkana, northwest Kenya, currently houses about 53,000 refugees. Malnutrition rates in the region are 29% due to regular droughts and crop failures, and incidences of HIV and AIDS are rising.  The IRC supports both the camp population and local communities with comprehensive health services, water and sanitation.

The IRC also provided emergency relief to at least 30,000 people in Trans Nzoia district who were affected by the post-election violence in 2007, including access to clean water, safe sanitation and measures to combat gender-based violence. As these people return home, we are also helping them rebuild and recover.

Since 2006, the IRC has been supporting vulnerable urban refugee women in Nairobi, helping nearly 200 refugee women to form seven women's groups and learn about their rights.

Sadia, of the Iftin women's group says, "The first thing we did was to learn about our rights. We're now able to link with organisations that can provide services to our members. We also do economic activities - we make biscuits and bed spreads to order. We get a little money...it helps with food and clothes.  Whatever we learn, we pass on to our community."