Refugees at Dadaab refugee camp. Operations at the facility have been affected by a standoff between UNHCR and the local community. [Photo/Standard]UNHCR workers are stranded in Dadaab refugee camp as the standoff between UNHCR and local communities entered the 6th day on Wednesday.
Since the standoff started, flights have been suspended because locals blocked the airstrip, with many UNHCR workers stranded at the agency's Dadaab headquarters.
Key operations such as the distribution of food to camps that was scheduled to start from December 1 to 8 have been delayed due to security issues of the workers.
There is high anxiety among the UNHCR staff with most of them unable to get out of the main office compound.
"Nothing is going on, hygiene is becoming a problem since even people cleaning the offices are nowhere to be found," a source who declined to be named said.
The source added that recently there were gunshots near the compound and this has caused fear and anxiety.
Last week, locals vowed to continue with protests until their demands are met.
Residents have accused refugees of depleting the environment due to charcoal burning and illegal cutting of trees.