Dadaab protesters at the UN headquarters main gate. They are demanding for jobs at the UN. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Local community members living in Dadaab on Thursday protested outside the United Nation’s Dadaab offices paralyzing UN operations in the camp.
Hundreds of residents carrying placards lit bonfires at the main gate of Dadaab-based UNHCR and its agencies’ headquarters protesting over the lack of employment at the Dadaab offices.
Ms Nasibo Abdi Farah, a resident, said locals from the host community have been sidelined by the UNHCR and other development partners when it comes to employment opportunities at the offices and camp.
Ms Farah further claimed that most of the employees working at the Dadaab camp are either foreign staff or Kenyans from other parts of the country.
She said UNHCR just recently issued a notice of termination of employment for more than 100 youth from the host community whose contracts will be terminated next month.
“UNHCR has been overlooking the host community when it comes to hiring. We want people from Garissa being employed and not foreigners or people from other counties,” said Ms Farah.
The residents said the refugees’ agency should let the locals have their jobs and reduce the number of international staff, who earn more money.
Dadaab Deputy County Commissioner Mr Harun Kamau who was speaking to journalists in his office said the loss of jobs has been caused by the reduced number of refugees because of repatriations which he said has also affected operations and funding by UNHCR.
“The number of refugees have reduced to almost a half because in 2011 they were about 470,000 while currently, they are about 230,000 that means workload for UNHCR also reduces as well as funding. This may result in the layoff of staff,” said Mr Kamau.