A Collaborative Approach to Sustainable Livelihoods, Water Access, and Policy Strengthening
In a region marked by both harsh climatic conditions and the complexities of refugee-host dynamics, the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), through the International Center for Humanitarian Affairs (ICHA), partnered with UN-Habitat to address the pressing needs of the Kalobeyei/ Kakuma integrated refugee settlement. This joint consultancy aimed at fostering resilience within both the refugee and host communities, focusing on three critical pillars: livelihood programs, water access, and policy strengthening for risk mitigation.
A Comprehensive One-Year Approach
The consultancy spanned a year and sought to provide sustainable solutions to the recurring challenges in the region, focusing on enhancing livelihoods, ensuring reliable access to water during droughts and floods, and strengthening policies aimed at reducing risks.
Through planning and collaboration with local communities and government stakeholders, the team set out to identify and implement livelihood programs, assess existing water infrastructure, and highlight vulnerabilities within the community that required targeted interventions.
Livelihood Programs: Empowering Communities
To help boost economic opportunities and self-reliance, a rapid assessment survey was conducted to identify viable livelihood programs. From the survey, three programs were identified:
- Horticulture 1 green house farmers group which comprises of members from the refugee and host communities, ensuring a diverse representation. The group is organized into ten sub-groups of farmers and has demonstrated sustainability mechanisms
- The Kang’ura Women Group, specificallytargeted from the project area. The group specializes in climate-smart agriculture ventures and has proven sustainability mechanisms
- The Traders Group was chosen in a bid to strengthen market connections for farm products from the main groups, thereby enhancing their businesses
Through the support of the program, 90 community members were trained in soft skills such as resource mobilization, entrepreneurship, group formation, leadership, governance, conflict management, and record keeping. This led to the successful registration of the Kang’ura Women Group, with their certificate pending issuance by the sub-county social department.
Additionally, Natukobenyo market vendors developed a financial plan to guide their merry-go-round savings, which didn’t exist before.
The financial start-up grant allowed business groups to independently acquire agribusiness tools like wheelbarrows and sprinklers, reducing their reliance on borrowing or leasing. Injecting the grant into the merry-go-round for 30 traders has fostered sustainability and community ownership, giving members access to financial support without traditional banking barriers. In the horticulture group, the grant also strengthened social cohesion between refugees and host communities by facilitating cross-pairing of farmers across ethnic divides, significantly reducing conflict over farm equipment.
Water Access: A Lifeline for Communities
In a region where water scarcity was a critical issue, ensuring reliable access to water was a top priority. The team assessed various water points within the community, ultimately selecting a borehole in Kang’ura, strategically located near the shade nets and Natkubenyo village. The borehole was rehabilitated, with water connected to both the shade nets and Kang’ura ECDE school.
This initiative was vital in ensuring that both the refugee and host communities had access to clean water, essential for both daily life and the success of the livelihood programs. Natukobenyo village was also set to benefit from the project through the establishment of two strategically positioned water points, one situated at the lower part of the village, directly accessible from the main highway leading from Kang’ura village, while the other was to be located at the upper side of the village, directly opposite the refugee reception center.
Policy Strengthening: A Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction
Recognizing the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters such as floods and droughts, a series of stakeholder meetings were held with local actors, partners, and the county government. The meetings included a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment (PCRA) sessions in a bid to develop hazard maps and identifyrisks and vulnerabilities in the region. The discussions culminated in the development of the Kakuma Disaster Risk Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy. This comprehensive policy document was designed to address the critical need for effective measures to reduce the impact of natural disasters.
The strategy emphasized the importance of understanding the factors that made both refugees and host communities vulnerable and the need for coordinated action plans to mitigate these risks.
Stakeholders played a crucial role in identifying gaps in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and pledged their support to various initiatives.
Progress and Ongoing Challenges
The project saw tangible successes, such as the repair of the Kang’ura borehole, which continued to provide much-needed water to the community. Meetings with the Turkana County Ministry of Water Services are underway to ensure the long-term management and handover of the Kang’ura borehole. Additionally, the government, is taking lead in coordinating efforts to ensure that mitigation and adaptation measures are effectively implemented.
However, the journey was not without its challenges. Local political interference posed a threat to the smooth execution of the project. Nevertheless, the unwavering support and trust that KRCS built with the community, played a crucial role in managing these challenges effectively.
A Brighter Future for Kalobeyei/Kakuma
This project serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of addressing immediate needs while building long-term resilience.
Through livelihood support, sustainable water access, and strengthened policies, the Kalobeyei/Kakuma integrated refugee settlement is better equipped to face the challenges of the future. As the community continues to grow and adapt, the partnership between KRCS, UN-Habitat, and local stakeholders remain a critical pillar of support, ensuring that both refugees and their hosts can thrive in the face of adversity.