The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) will soon hand over Sh1.1 billion (11.5 million USD) worth of infrastructure to the Kenyan government and the host community following the closure of 2 camps in the expansive Dadaab refugee camp.
The infrastructure includes several fully furnished hospitals and schools.
Addressing journalists at Dagahley camp on Thursday, Dadaab sub-county, Head of Operations at UNHCR Dadaab Jean Bosco Rushatsi said the assets were left behind after refugees in Ifo 2 and Kambi Os were assisted to go back to their homeland.
Rushatsi said a refugee camp is considered closed when the last alien leaves either on repatriation or is moved to another camp.
“We are in a constructive dialogue with both county and national government to see how soon we can organize official handing over ceremony. The refugees were welcomed by the Kenya people and whatever is left behind we are eager to hand over to them,” he said.
Kambi Os was closed in March last year while Ifo 2 was closed last month.
“These are very important infrastructure that the government can use on various education projects including boarding schools, technical, vocational training for the host community,” he added.
“We appeal for Kenya government and local leadership to put these infrastructures into proper use,” the official noted.
Dr Orkhan Nasibov, a senior Public Health Officer with UNHCR said the hospitals in Ifo2 camp has about 100-bed capacity, a maternity wing, emergency room, laboratory, two operations centers, adult ward, pediatric wards, stabilization center and pharmacy block.