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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
  • 22 January 2025

A Lifeline for refugees: protecting the most vulnerable in Kenya

Kenya is home to nearly 820,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom have fled war-torn countries such as Somalia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan. For them, escaping conflict often means enduring unimaginable hardships and rebuilding lives far from home.

Emmanuela (27), from Burundi, arrived in Kenya in 2019 after fleeing violent clashes between the government and opposition forces in her home country. 

Photo of Emmanuela in front of a bright pink wall.
Emmanuela fled to Kenya from Burundi in 2019
© HIAS

I love my country, it’s beautiful and green,” she shares. “But many of my siblings were killed, and my parents were killed also in the conflict”.

At the time, she was lucky to survive but found herself in a desperate situation. Her only surviving brother took her in when she could no longer return to her parent’s home, and there she hid until she was able to escape Burundi. 

“I was afraid that since everyone else was killed, that it could also happen to me,” she says.

After she arrived in Kenya, Emmanuela got married, had 2 children, and started working as a tailor. However, she eventually found herself alone with her 2 young children after her husband left her.

At her lowest point, Emmanuela got in contact with HIAS Kenya. Through a programme supported by the European Union and implemented in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council and the Norwegian Refugee Council, she received critical assistance. This programme offers a wide range of life-saving services to refugees and asylum seekers in the urban area of Nairobi, as well as in the Dadaab, Kakuma, and Kalobeyei long-standing refugee camps.

In Nairobi, the HIAS Accommodation Centre provides temporary housing for refugees in need of urgent protection or medical care and includes mental health support and counselling sessions funded exclusively by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid. 

A safe space, drawings on the wall and small chairs at the side.
Children have a safe space to spend the day in while their parents are working
© HIAS

In addition, for working mothers like Emmanuela, the Child-Friendly Space (CFS), operated by HIAS Kenya in partnership with the Umoja Foundation, offers life-changing support. There, children find a safe and nurturing environment where they can stay during the day while their parents work or attend training programs. Children participate in educational and recreational activities, have access to nutritious meals, and can also benefit from counselling sessions.

“The space helps me a lot,” Emmanuela explains. “My children can play with other kids, and they can also fit into the Kenyan community.”

The CFS includes specialised facilities to support skill development. Younger children enjoy playrooms equipped with toys and study spaces, while older youth can access IT equipment or participate in a 6-month tailoring programme, where they learn to make items like dresses and bags. 

View of a classroom with computers.
HIAS provides computer facilities for older children
© HIAS

Life for displaced people in Kenya is fraught with challenges. Most struggle to secure food, shelter, and employment. Vulnerable groups, such as single mothers, children, LGBTQ+ refugees, and the elderly, are especially at risk of exploitation, including forced labour, child marriage, and transactional sex. 

In this context, EU-funded programmes are fundamental to provide immediate relief through cash assistance, legal aid, gender-based violence prevention, and child protection services.

For Emmanuela, the support she has received has provided much-needed stability for her family. Beyond the tangible benefits of the programme, she finds peace of mind knowing her children are safe and cared for, giving her the opportunity to focus on rebuilding their future.

Entrance of a centre, some toys in front, a window in the back.
© HIAS

The EU-funded programme, implemented by HIAS, the Danish Refugee Council, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, will continue providing critical support to at-risk refugees in Kenya until July 2025.

  • Story and photos by HIAS Europe

    Publication date: 22/01/2025