Kenya
In Kenya, HI is providing assistance to people living in refugee camps and host communities. The organization is also taking action to increase education and employment opportunities and political participation of people with disabilities.
A group of children play at the Dadaab refugee camp. Humanity & Inclusion Kenya | © B. Blondel / HI
Our actions
In Kenya, HI works in refugee camps and surrounding communities to improve the living conditions of refugees and persons with disabilities, by ensuring equal and protected access to learning opportunities, employment opportunities, civic engagement and access to services. HI works to raise awareness of discrimination and build the capacity of staff working with these populations to identify people with the most acute needs.
The program also provides refugees with rehabilitation and psychosocial support services. Several care centers are run in the camps and mobility aids are distributed, such as walking sticks, prostheses and walking frames. Our teams work with local partners and community representatives to ensure that the needs of all people are taken into account.
Finally, HI equips educators to welcome students with disabilities through inclusive education training.
Areas of intervention
Latest stories
Driving significant and lasting change in Kenya
Meet Faith Njiru, HI physical therapist and project manager working in Dadaab refugee camp in eastern Kenya.
In Kenya, Kakuma's entrepreneurs with disabilities are breaking new ground
For people with disabilities, the context is not always conducive to starting up a business. HI is working alongside them to make the business environment more inclusive.
Saisa: a new prosthetic leg for a new life
Saisa was amputated below her left knee when an insect bite became severely infected. After working with Humanity & Inclusion's teams, she tells us how her life has changed.
a life
Background
In Kenya, inequalities persist and successive droughts threaten the population's food security.
A former British colony, Kenya gained independence in 1963. In 2020, Kenya was ranked 143rd out of 189 countries in the UNDP Human Development Index.
Increased circumstances of gender inequality have negatively impacted inclusive human development and economic growth of population, especially in labour markets, access to education and appropriate healthcare. The rights of people with disabilities are often times neglected, contributing to increased poverty and sub-standard living conditions.
From 2017, the conditions in arid regions of Kenya deteriorated significantly due to drought. There has also been a negative impact of floods, landslides and locusts on crops, household food and income sources throughout the country. This led to heightened food insecurity and decreased health and nutrition status at a time when political instability has also increased. Within this context, people with disabilities and others living in situations of vulnerability are at a greater risk of neglect and reduced access to services such as education and health.
In 2021, an assessment indicated worsening food security and drought in numerous counties. In September 2021, Kenya's President declared the drought a national disaster.
Number of HI staff: 62
Program launched in: 1992
