The Star (Nairobi)

Kenya: IFO Camp Opened

By Macharia Wamugo, 14 July 2011
Photo: Kate Holt/IRIN
Newly arrived refugees from Somalia wait to be registered at Dagehaley camp, one of three camps that make up the Dadaab refugee camp in north eastern Kenya.

The government has finally agreed to open the IFO II camp for refugees fleeing drought and conflict in Somalia.

The new facility that can accommodate up to 40,000 people is close to the Dadaab camp, which has been overwhelmed by the recent influx of asylum seekers.

Prime minister Raila Odinga says the camp has been opened on humanitarian grounds. He visited the area today accompanied by Internal security minister George Saitoti.

The IFO II camp was built two years ago but has never been opened for fear that refugees will settle there permanently.

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Kenyan Govt Opens New Refugee Camp

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The government has finally agreed to open the IFO II camp for refugees fleeing drought and conflict in Somalia. The new facility that can accommodate up to 40,000 people is close ... Read more »