Categories
Quotes of the Month

Quotes of the Month: February 2009

“Do all the people who work with and amongst refugees and asylum seekers believe in their rights, and particularly the right to a free press?”

-Dr. Ekuru Aukot / “Who believes in the rights of Immigrants? Do refugees in Kenya have the right to free press?”

“My heart is full of sorrow. I feel so sad to see how long it takes to be accepted as a refugee while suffering in the camp.”

-A Congolese asylum seeker / “Refugee Status Determination: Justice Delayed is…Typical?”

“This is a frightening situation, if not a disaster.”

-A caseworker on the case of a suicidal single mother / “UNHCR Field Posts Aim to Protect Refugees”

“The UNHCR knows us not by name, but by number.”

-An Ethiopian refugee who has tired of being repeatedly counted / “Refugee Headcount Begins”

“I believe that the world’s refugee camps could produce the next generation of great artists.”

-Sally Lincoln, American artist visiting Kakuma Refugee Camp / “An Artist’s View of Kakuma Refugee Camp”

Categories
Letter from the Editor

Letter from the Editor

Volume 1, Issue 3 / February 2009

 To all KANERE readers, here and abroad:

Amid the flurry of reporting this February, we have concentrated on strengthening our professionalism and community presence.

KANERE journalists participated in a three-day training led by the Turkana District Information Officer, Leonard Wekesa Wafula. Lively debate arose as we negotiated the challenges of reporting in a refugee camp. How to determine what is of importance to refugees, locals, and the international community? How to deal with investigative stories in a sensitive climate? We continue to hone our skills in an evolving approach to refugee camp reporting.

We are mobilizing the community to create widespread awareness of KANERE’s objectives and to engage the entire community in a free press.  In an introductory meeting with community leaders, there was deep consensus that KANERE fills a critical role that has been ignored far too long, and plans are underway to expand community outreach.

Last, but certainly not least, we are grateful to welcome the legal support of Kituo Cha Sheria, a legal aid clinic based in Nairobi. This month’s editorial contribution from Dr. Ekuru Aukot highlights the ways in which Kituo has already begun to strengthen KANERE’s operations.

Our third issue continues to address the concerns most pressing to refugees and locals, with creative and artistic contributions infused. Enjoy the read, and viva la refugee free press!

Signed,

KANERE

Categories
Contributors

Who Believes in the Rights of Immigrants? Do Refugees in Kenya Have the Right to a Free Press?

Volume 1, Issue 3 / February 2009

By Ekuru Aukot

Dr. Ekuru Aukot of Kituo Cha Sheria writes on the right of refugees to exercise a free press in Kakuma Refugee Camp, and their obligation to uphold the ethics of professional journalism

Categories
Human Rights

Refugee Status Determination: Justice Delayed is…Typical?

Volume 1, Issue 3 / February 2009

 Asylum seekers awaiting refugee status decisions from UNHCR have lingered in legal limbo for years, with serious consequences for stability and well-being. (Part one of a two-part series on RSD)

Categories
Kakuma Town and Kenya

A Tale of Two Cities, or One Mixed Metropolis?

 Volume 1, Issue 3 / February 2009

 When a small Kenyan town becomes host to a huge refugee camp, the cross-cultural influences are many, multidirectional, and far-reaching

Categories
Human Rights

UNHCR Field Posts Aim to Protect Refugees

Volume 1, Issue 3 / February 2009

Do UNHCR field posts in the refugee camp actually fulfill their role in human rights protection? Refugees are not so sure

Categories
Human Rights

‘Watoto Kesho Africa’ Advances Children’s Rights

Volume 1, Issue 3 / February 2009

 Through founding his own NGO, a local refugee fights for children’s rights and aims to “win their future at any cost”

Categories
News Updates

Darfurians Demonstrate Over Shooting

Volume 1, Issue 3 / February 2009

Darfurian refugees in Kakuma Camp demonstrate at UNHCR after their fellow community member was shot by armed bandits on 2 February 2009

Categories
News Updates

Water Crisis Persists Four Weeks

Volume 1, Issue 3 / February 2009

A broken water pump sparked a four-week water shortage that forced extensive water rationing and left refugees seeking alternative sources of water

Categories
Humanitarian Services

Refugee Headcount Begins

Volume 1, Issue 3 / February 2009

UNHCR-Kakuma has called all refugees to be counted in the latest population fixing exercise, estimated to last two months