Dadaab protesters at the UN headquarters main gate. They claim the refugees have destroyed the environment in Garissa. [Photo|the-star.co.ke]
Garissa residents on Thursday accused the Somali refugees in the Dadaab camp of destroying the environment in North Eastern.
The residents while protesting at the main gate of Dadaab-based UNHCR said that environmental destruction by the refugees has left the host community vulnerable.
An environmentalist, Mr Abdikadir Aden said many trees around the camps have been cut down for food and fuel which has left the land bare and susceptible to soil erosion.
“UNHCR supplies gas and kerosene to other refugee camps but Dadaab Refugee Camps, which are one of the biggest camps, are still using firewood as a source of energy.”
“UNHCR must bring immediate alternative sources of energy for the refugees. We cannot allow this to continue beyond such a magnitude,” said Mr Aden.
Ms Nasibo Abdi Farah, a resident called for the removal of the refugees from the Dadaab camp saying the refugees have depleted environment as a result of charcoal burning, poaching and cutting down trees.
“We are protesting because we want UNHCR to move out of Dadaab and take refugees elsewhere because they have brought much suffering to the host community for the last 26 years.”
“As pastoralists, our livestock have nowhere to graze due to depletion. There have been no benefits or compensation whatsoever,” said Ms Farah.
Dadaab Deputy County Commissioner Mr Harun Kamau acknowledged that there has been environmental destruction over the years caused by the refugees.
“The environment has been degraded over the years the refugee camp has been opened and it could take years to restore it,” said Mr Kamau who was speaking to journalists in his office.