The Journey of Somali Refugees with Disabilities in Kenya

The conditions in which refugees live in many partsof the world is of concern to the internationalcommunity. In the Dadaab Camps in Kenya live hundredsof thousands of refugees whose lives have beenshattered by unrest and violence particularly inneighbouring Somalia. Amongst these refugees are manypeople with disabilities often caused and/orexacerbated by violence malnutrition anddiscrimination. Refugees with disabilities arelargely invisible to the international communitybecause this group's needs are overshadowed by thedeplorable conditions which most people who live inthese camps experience. This work attempts to makerefugees with disability visible and give them avoice. In a series of interviews focus groupdiscussions and case studies their challengesexperiences and aspirations are explored. The firstauthor himself an Ethnic Somali and vision impairedsince birth brings a unique perspective to the livedexperience of those with a range of disabilities inthe Dadaab Camps. This book clearly identifies manyof these experiences and provides an importantroadmap for change for those in the Camps and theinternational community.