Female refugees fleeing conflict and hunger in East Africa are facing another threat: rape and sexual violence. According to UNHCR reports, the numbers of sexual and gender-based violence cases have quadrupled: 358 incidents reported from January until June 2011, in comparison with 75 during the same period in 2010.
At CARE's reception centre in two of the refugee camps numbers have more than doubled. In the first six months of this year, since the refugee influx began, 136 cases have been documented, compared to 66 in the same period in 2010.
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 on the journey. Many women set out on the journey alone with their children, leaving husbands behind and they may walk for weeks in search of safety.
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 other violence on their journey. Upon identification, counseling and referred emergency medical attention is administered.
When women arrive in Dadaab, they face camps that are already full and are settling in a scattered, unplanned way on the outskirts of the camps. Often, these women are forced to set up wherever they can find space, often far from emergency services, such as clinics, water sites or latrines, further exasperating their vulnerability to violence.
"Without a designated place to settle, women and children are scared, especially at night," said Caroline Saint-Mleux, Emergency Team Leader in Dadaab. "CARE has been working with the refugees to explain where they can receive help and is ensuring the most vulnerable household are getting the support they need. Through CARE's partnerships on the ground, we are encouraging other groups to take into consideration the specific needs of women and children as well."
The world's largest refugee camp, located in Dadaab, Kenya, is coping with an influx of nearly 1,500 new arrivals each day as a result of a severe drought in East Africa. Since January 2011, approximately 70 per cent of those arriving are women-headed households. To support the newly arriving refugees, CARE has increased its capacity to respond, particularly for vulnerable of women and girls.
"The deep psychological affects that drought and subsequent movement can have on woman refugees is immense. We have witnessed high levels of anxiety, panic and trauma due to loss of family members along the way and women are sharing stories of rape, violence and hunger," said Wilson Kisiero, CARE's gender and development officer in Dadaab. "CARE is providing immediate psychological support to the newly arrived women and girl refugees and we are doing all we can to ensure follow-up visits."
CARE is the lead implementing agency in Dadaab. Along with its support to the refugees that have been in Dadaab since 1991, CARE is distributing food, water, jerry cans, plastic sheeting, and soap to the newly arriving refugees. CARE also provides psychological support and counselling to survivors of sexually-based violence.
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Longer term work
In addition to our immediate response in the face of this current food crisis CARE International emphasises the need to tackle the long-term, underlying causes of poverty. We have been present in the region for over 25 years and are helping families to break the cycle of hunger and to adapt to the changing climate and recurring droughts.
Our ongoing work in the region includes:
- Maintenance, protection and development of water points and wells.
- Working with women in Mandera, Kenya to revive traditional food preservation techniques.
- Vaccination of animals to prevent diseases breaking out as they congregate at remaining water points.
- Helping families have more consistent sources of income by supporting them in diversifying their work.
Read more stories from the East Africa Food Crisis:
Staff blog: Sabine Wilke, Emergency Media Officer in Dadaab - 12 August
Video: East Africa Crisis - CARE's response - 12 August
Slideshow: Dadaab refugee camp - 12 August
Somalia to Dadaab: a journey filled with danger - 10 August
Somalia: famine declared in three additional regions of South-Central - 5 August
Ethiopia: in a drought prevention pays - 26 July 2011
Staff Blog: Confusion and waiting in Dadaab, Kenya - 18 July 2011
Staff Blog: "The need for food assistance is increasing at alarming rate" - 16 July 2011
Urgency grows in the Horn of Africa - 15 July 2011
Slideshow: More pictures from the East Africa Food Crisis - 14 July 2011
Staff Blog: Horn of Africa Food Crisis - Dadaab refugee camp - 8 July 2011
Slideshow: East Africa Food Crisis - 8 July 2011
Horn of Africa: The most severe food crisis in the world - 1 July 2011
Reviving traditions to survice drought in Kenya - 3 June 2011
Ethiopia food shortage: The worst is yet to come - 25 May 2011
Press releases from the East Africa food Crisis:
Saving cattle can save lives in drought-stricken Africa - 29 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £30 million - 25 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £27 million - 22 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £20 million - 18 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £18 million - 18 July 2011
Violence against women doubles in giant East Africa refugee camp - 17 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £15 million - 14 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £13 million - 13 July 2011
DEC agencies prepare to scale up work in Somalia - 13 July 2011
Reported cases of sexual violence have quadrupled among refugees - 12 July 2011
Horn of Africa food crisis: CARE launches £16 million appeal - 11 July 2011
UK donations for East Africa Crisis Appeal reach £8 million - 10 July 2011
DEC aims to help prevent East Africa Crisis becoming a catastrophe - 10 July 2011
DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal reaches £6 million - 9 July 2011
Aid delivered in East Africa as DEC Appeals broadcast in UK - 8 July 2011
Africa’s newest country in grip of food crisis - 8 July 2011
DEC announces East Africa Crisis Appeal - 7 July 2011
Drought in Kenya: “Situation of refugees is grave” - 4 July 2011
Horn of Africa: CARE calls for more attention to severe food insecurity - 19 May 2011
