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GENEVA / DADAAB CAMP
STORY: GENEVA / DADAAB CAMP
TRT: 2: 23
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 14 APRIL 2015, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / FILE
1. Exterior of Palais des Nations
2. Wide shot of podium
3. SOUNDBITE (English) – Karin de Gruijl, spokesperson, UNHCR: “UNHCR is nevertheless concerned that abruptly closing the Dadaab refugee camps and forcing them back to Somalia would have extreme humanitarian and practical consequences, and it would be in breach of Kenya’s international obligations. We are thus urging the Kenyan authorities to give the matter further consideration. UNHCR stands ready to continue to work with the government of Kenya, to strengthen law enforcement at Dadaab and support other measures to protect refugees and Kenyans alike against possible intrusion by armed actors from across the border.”
4. Pull out of journalists
5. SOUNDBITE (English) – Karin de Gruijl, spokesperson, UNHCR: “In December 2014, a pilot scheme was launched to support people who seek to voluntarily return to one of three relatively safe areas of Somalia, namely Luuq, Baidoa and Kismayo. We stand ready to work with the governments of Kenya and Somalia to step up this programme where there are opportunities for voluntary return. Nonetheless, for now UNHCR considers that large-scale returns are still not possible in many parts of the country, in particular in South Central Somalia, where most of the refugees are coming from.”
6. Mid shot of journalists
7. SOUNDBITE (English) – Karin de Gruijl, spokesperson, UNHCR: “We’ve been in contact with them since these announcements were made and we really tried to convince them to reconsider the matter because the implications, both from an international law perspective but also purely humanitarian implications would be very extreme.”
8. Tilt up of computer screens
9. Wide shot of press briefing room
FILE - UNCHR - 29 OCTOBER 2014, DADAAB, KENYA
(Video as received)
10. Aerial shot, refugee camp
FILE - UNCHR - DATE UNKNOWN, DADAAB, KENYA
11. Various shots, the camp.
The Kenyan Government has been asked to reconsider its decision to close the Dadaab refugee camps in the country amid fears that a closure would lead to great hardship for 350,000 Somali refugees who live in the complex, the UN Refugee Agency, (UNHCR) said Tuesday.
In a news briefing in Geneva the agency said it is concerned that abruptly closing the camps and forcing refugees back to Somalia would have extreme humanitarian and practical consequences, and would be a breach of Kenya’s international obligations.
Last weekend, the Kenyan Government announced the closure of the Dadaab complex, which consists of five refugee camps, within the next three months. The announcement follows the attack at Garissa University earlier this month in which 148 students were killed.
UNHCR says that it has been in contact with the government since the announcement and that it has tried to convince politicians to reconsider the closure. The agency says that the implications, from a humanitarian point of view and from an international law perspective, would be extreme.
Kenya has played host to refugees from neighbouring Somalia, escaping violence and persecution, for more than two decades. UNHCR says that it works closely with the government of Kenya and understands the current regional security situation and the seriousness of the threats Kenya is facing. However, the agency says that the government has an obligation not only to ensure the security of its citizens but also others living in Kenya, including refugees.
Karin de Gruijl, spokesperson for UNHCR, says: “UNHCR stands ready to continue to work with the government of Kenya, to strengthen law enforcement at Dadaab and support other measures to protect refugees and Kenyans alike against possible intrusion by armed actors from across the border.”
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