A newly arrived mother and her child in Dadaab, Kenya. © CARE / Kate HoltAlthough it is just nine days since Muna arrived she does not live with other new refugees on the outskirts of Dadaab, but in the comparative comfort of a room within the camp. As soon as she arrived, she managed to trace clan members, who let her use a room. Muna is 40 years old. She arrived with her seven children.

She left her husband behind because the bus fare was too expensive for all of them. He let them go ahead, remaining behind to raise more money for his own trip. “I will join you soon,” he said as he waved them goodbye.

Muna’s journey from Somalia took her 18 long days. She had to feed her children wild fruits and look out for wild animals. Her children are all safe now. But midway through their journey, bandits stopped their bus and ordered all the women to step out. “They told the older women to get back into the bus. Five of us stayed behind, with our children. The bus driver was ordered to drive off and leave us behind. Then they raped us,” she said.

The children were pushed away behind some bushes and instructed to be quiet by one of the men, as the others went back to the women and raped them.

It was broad daylight, but no vehicle passed. They screamed for help and their children were crying in fear, but nobody came.

“Afterwards they told us to take our children and keep walking.” Muna and the others walked 17 kilometres before coming to Dif, where they told some village elders what had happened. The elders raised money so the women could continue their journey.

Muna and the others finally made it to Dadaab. She is just happy to have some private space with her children, among her larger clan. Her registration date is set for November.

“I am glad we arrived here, and all my children are ok. We finally got some food and water and a tent. There are so many people, but it is like we are alone, because my husband is not here.”

Muna was referred to the MSF clinic by the CARE staff that interviewed her, but she has not gone to the clinic yet, she is afraid she may be pregnant from the ordeal, or have a disease. She said she would wait a few more days.

Sexual and gender based violence

The most dangerous period for refugees is when they are on the move. Women and girls are especially vulnerable to rape, abduction, illness and even death. Many may walk for weeks in search of safety.

According to UNHCR reports, the numbers of sexual and gender-based violence cases have quadrupled in the last six months in Dadaab: 358 incidents reported from January until June 2011, in comparison with 75 during the same period in 2010.

CARE has set-up a screening tent at reception centers in Ifo and Dagahaley camps in Dadaab to help identify survivors of sexual abuse or violence. Counseling and emergency medical attention is available.

Wilson Kisiero, CARE’s Gender and Community Development manager in Dadaab