UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

12 March 2010 - Somalia continues to be home to one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. An estimated 3.8 million Somalis (roughly 50% of the population) now require some form of humanitarian assistance, of these, 1.4 million people have been displaced from their homes by the ongoing conflict and insecurity. In addition to those populations displaced within Somalia, between 300,000 and 400,000 Somalis are also living as refugees in Kenya. Three UN-managed refugee camps around Dadaab, in desolate northeastern Kenya, originally built to house 90,000 people, are now home to this massive population. Canadian support to UNHCR operations in Somalia and Kenya is helping it to meet the basic needs of the millions of displaced Somalis in these two countries. UNHCR is responsible for camp management and the coordination of the provision of basic services such as water and sanitation, health care, shelter, and protection.