What is local refugee integration?
Local integration occurs when refugees seek to attain rights similar to those enjoyed by the citizens of the country in which they have sought refuge. Some but not all are able to gain citizenship. There are many challenges to local integration for both refugees and receiving communities.
Why are there refugees in Kenya?
About half of Kenya’s refugees are Somalis living in Dadaab refugee camp. They have fled a three-decade civil conflict between the Somali government and many rebel organizations, including the al-Shabaab militant group. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta alleges that Dadaab’s refugees are a security threat.
How many refugees are in Kenya 2021?
A. whereas Kenya hosts the second largest number of refugees and asylum seekers in Africa after Ethiopia; whereas according to the UNHCR, as of 31 May 2021, Kenya’s population of refugees and asylum seekers stands at 519 989 in Kakuma, Dadaab and urban areas; B.
Why is it important to integrate refugees?
There are a number of broad goals of integration that apply across countries. These include efforts to enable refugees to reach and develop their full potential, to protect their human rights, prevent their marginalization, and foster social cohesion and harmonious co-existence.
What is local integration?
In official policy terms, local integration—one of the three ‘durable solutions’ along with repatriation and resettlement—is a means to ending exile by allowing refugees to become full members of their host community in their first country of asylum.
Is local integration common?
Local integration has never been broadly implemented in developing countries. True, many host governments, particularly in Africa, have allowed “self-settlement” of refugees without official assistance in local host communities.
What are the causes of refugees?
A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.
Why does Kenya want to close refugee camps?
Kenya first announced its intentions to shut down the camps in 2016, arguing that the Dadaab refugee camp was a source of insecurity. Some officials said jihadi rebels of al-Qaida affiliated Al-Shabab group have used it as a recruiting ground and base for launching terrorist attacks in Kenya.