Impact of climate refugees on the humanitarian situation a case study of Dadaab refugee camp
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The study sought to investigate the impact of climate refugees on the humanitarian
situation with focus to Dadaab refugee camp. Harsh climate condition is one of the
factors that lead to human migration. When the migrations take place across international
borders because of climate related issues such as droughts, desertification, sea level rise,
and disruption of seasonal weather patterns such as monsoons those people are termed as
climate refugees. However, there is yet to be a universally accepted definition of "climate
refugee" under existing international law. There are no frameworks, no conventions, no
protocols and no specific guidelines that can provide protection and assistance for people
crossing international borders because of climate change.
The main objective of the study was to gather information that enhances understanding of
the humanitarian impacts of climate refugees' phenomena. The study was guided by the
following research objectives, that is, to determine driving force of Somali refugee's
influx into Dadaab other than conflict, to establish impacts of climate refugees on the
humanitarian situation in Dadaab refugee camp and to examine strategies applied by the
government and humanitarian agencies to deal with the climate refugees challenge
The target population of this study was the refugees in Dabaab who were forced to
migrate from Somalia due to harsh climate conditions. The study relied on primary data
where questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect primary data. The study
employed random sampling technique in coming up with a sample size of 120
respondents. The study generated both qualitative and quantitative data where
quantitative data was coded and entered into Statistical Packages for Social Scientists and
analyzed using descriptive statistics. Frequency table and figures were used for
presentation and qualitative analysis done in prose.
Based on information collected and analyzed, the study found that drought and famine,
flooding, environmental degradation, spread of infectious diseases and hostile
communities were the main causes of refugees' migration. The study established that the
main constraint for the UNHCR Refugee Agency affiliate is to handle the uncertainty of
the situation in the home countries of the refugees and also the size of the recent Somali
refugee inflow. Likewise, the study concluded that UNHCR's has adopted strategies that
focus on humanitarian assistance.
The study recommended that due to the resultant complexities generated by the insecurity
in the region, it seem very difficult to maintain Dadaab refugee camp in the near future
especially with the increased climate refugee'S phenomena. Therefore there is need for
research on the possibility of an IDP's containment policy within Somali through
establishment ofUNHCR camps providing the necessary humanitarian aid.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Description
MSc