World Refugee Day.
By Aoma Keziah,
On this World Refugee Day, World Vision Kenya has joined the international community in standing in solidarity with refugees, reaffirming the urgent need to honour their stories and uphold their rights. The theme for this year, “Solidarity with Refugees, Honouring Refugee Stories, Upholding Their Rights”, is a call to action amid one of the most complex and underfunded humanitarian crises of our time.
“As the world marks World Refugee Day 2025, we are reminded that solidarity must be seen in action through policies that protect, investments that empower, and communities that welcome,” stated Gilbert Kamanga, National Director, World Vision Kenya
A Worsening Global Displacement Crisis Worldwide, refugee numbers are at unprecedented levels, driven by ongoing conflicts, climate-related disasters, and collapsing economies. As of early 2025, the world hosts over 120 million forcibly displaced people, with more than 36 million refugees crossing international borders and humanitarian funding gaps persist, with agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP) reporting drastic cuts in food aid, leaving millions of refugees.
According to research, Kenya remains one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in Africa. As of April 2025, there are 843,165 refugees and asylum seekers as of 31st March 2025, according to UNHCR, the Kakuma and Kalobeyei settlements in Turkana County host over 300,000 People, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, food rations have been cut to 40% of minimum daily needs, leaving families at risk of hunger and malnutrition.
In response, World Vision Kenya, through the DREAM-UP Project (funded by KOICA and implemented in partnership with World Vision Korea), is working to enhance social cohesion through the establishment of peace committees and local conflict resolution structures, build household-level resilience by training refugees and host communities in climate-smart agriculture, livestock management, and market linkages, support economic inclusion through cash transfers and skills development, particularly for women and youth and promote integration and dignity, aligning efforts with Kenya’s Shirika Plan and regional frameworks for refugee protection.
So far, over 44,000 refugees have been supported through livelihood training, agricultural inputs, and psychosocial support, leading to improved self-reliance and food security. This has helped families transition away from dependency on food aid and better withstand the effects of reduced humanitarian assistance.
Additionally, 161 farmers have been trained in climate-smart agriculture and livestock practices. Many now grow food, keep poultry, and sell surplus produce, increasing household income and resilience. The project is also creating market linkages and introducing new technologies like shade nets to sustain these gains, vulnerable households have received cash assistance to improve financial independence, the cash transfer program enables families to meet basic needs, invest in small businesses, and apply financial literacy skills gained through training.
160,000 people in Kakuma & Kalobeyei have been reached with General Food distribution, ensuring acceptable food consumption for some 74,000 in Kakuma Camp 3 and 90,000 in Kalobeyei Settlement in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP). 11,305 people reached with peaceful coexistence & sustainable livelihoods through the Kakuma Integrated Resilience Project, 1,500 households provided with clean water & sanitation in Turkana & Garissa under the UNICEF Prospect 2.0 Project.
World Vision Kenya affirms tha refugees have the right to safety, dignity, and opportunity, they support protection frameworks that uphold international humanitarian law. Resilience is not built in isolation but strong partnerships with government, civil society, and communities are vital to addressing systemic gaps in refugee response and every refugee’s journey is a testament to courage and survival their voices must inform our policies and priorities.
The christian, relief, advocacy and development organisation, urges the Government county authorities, development partners, and the global community to increase investment in sustainable solutions for refugees, including livelihoods, education, and integration pathways, strengthen food and cash assistance programs to safeguard basic human dignity, and prioritise peacebuilding and climate adaptation strategies to reduce tensions and resource-based conflicts.
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The Mt Kenya Times 
