January Updates

Addressing GBV through Advocacy Workshop

To address these challenges, we are strengthening local capacity through targeted interventions. With support from health rights partners (The We Lead Project, AmplifyChange ), our youth champions facilitated a workshop in Kakuma town with Kakuma Municipality officers and community officers from both host (Turkana) and refugee communities. This initiative focused on enhancing GBV case reporting and management, equipping 30 stakeholders with the skills and knowledge to support survivors effectively.

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant concern in Kakuma Refugee Camp. A study conducted by the University of Nairobi in 2021 reported an overall GBV prevalence of 79.9% within the camp, with the original sections of Kakuma experiencing a higher rate of 85.4%. The most commonly reported forms of GBV include physical assault or abuse (27%), intimate partner violence (17%), and psychological or emotional abuse (13%).

These incidents predominantly affect adolescent girls aged 12-17 and young women aged 18-25. Factors contributing to the high prevalence of GBV in Kakuma include overcrowding, limited economic opportunities, and entrenched cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality. (The Impact of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement and Host Community, 2019; SGBV Strategy, 2017).

High Demand for Vocational Skills Training in the Camp

In January, the Resilience Action International (RAI) Center in Kakuma 2 experienced a significant influx of new learners enrolling in its vocational education programs, registering 900 students in two weeks. These programs, which include courses in the English language, tailoring, entrepreneurship, and digital skills, aim to equip refugee youth with market-relevant skills to enhance their economic potential. The increased enrollment underscores the growing demand for educational opportunities among the refugee community in Kakuma.

We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the Learning through Education and Access to Skills for Employment (LEAP) Project in Kakuma town. This initiative, implemented by Resilience Action International (RAI) in partnership with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC - EUMC) Service of Canada (WUSC), has empowered numerous young women and girls from both refugee and host communities by providing comprehensive digital skills training alongside job placement opportunities from our development partners.

The program not only equipped participants with market-relevant skills but also offered mentorship and integrated gender-responsive approaches to address gender-based violence through community workshops. As a result, these young women are now better positioned to access economic opportunities online and overcome socio-cultural challenges in the digital employment sector.

Partner Appreciation

Resilience Action International (RAI) extends its sincere gratitude to F5 for your generous support in funding digital skills training for the refugee youth community of Kakuma Camp and solar kit operation and maintenance training for school teachers in Kalobeyei from 2023–2024. Your investment has not only equipped young people with essential digital skills, enabling their transition into job placements and higher learning opportunities but has also contributed to environmental resilience by promoting clean energy solutions in schools without access to the national power grid.

Thanks to your support, we have been able to expand our program reach, ensuring more learners gain the skills and tools needed for a sustainable future.

?Sincerely,

The RAI Team

Blog Post: The Impact of Short Rains and Strong winds on Local Refugee communities In the Camp.

The short rainy period in November and December 2024 coupled with the recent strong winds caused havoc and destruction in the community, leaving a trail of destruction, severely affecting households and community-based organizations that form the backbone of local support systems.

One such Community-based Organization (CBO) is *Refugee and Host Resilience Initiative (REHORI), based in Kakuma 1, next to Field Post 1. Late last year, 2024, the short rainy season destroyed households and CBO structures, temporarily halting work and rendering the roads impassable for almost a week.

Read More...

Listen In ??: This Month's Featured Story

https://x.com/ResilienceAct/status/1887528190366691599X-Space Live Recording- Refugee Stories:Uniting to Ends FGM and Protecting Future Generations. 6th Feb 2025

Support Our Cause in 2025 By Partnering with Us! ????????

Not yet subscribed? To receive email updates, register here for monthly newsletters. We thank you for the support!