Reported Cases of Sexual Violence Have Quadrupled Among Refugees

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 – sometimes 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 percent 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."

About Dadaab and CARE: 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 counseling to survivors of sexually-based violence.