Dadaab: Governor Nathif Jama Urges UNHCR to Restore Refugee Food Support Amid Aid Cuts

Kenya, 22 May 2026 - Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has appealed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to urgently review reduced food assistance programmes in refugee camps, warning that vulnerable families in Dadaab are bearing the brunt of global aid funding cuts.

Speaking after meeting the newly appointed UNHCR Representative in Kenya, Madam Fatima Mohammed-Cole, Governor Jama said the welfare of refugees in Garissa County required immediate attention, particularly on food and nutrition support.

The governor said growing concerns had emerged from the camps following the reduction of food rations and implementation of the Differentiated Assistance (DA) arrangement.

“I raised the need for the agency to look afresh at the welfare of the refugees in the county, particularly with regard to food and nutrition support, in light of the reduced food rationing programmes following international aid funding cuts,” said Mr Jama.

He added that many refugees, especially vulnerable groups, felt adversely affected by the current aid distribution model.

“I shared with her the outcry emanating from the camps regarding the Differentiated Assistance arrangement, which appears to have adversely affected a large number of refugees, especially the most vulnerable groups,” he said.

The meeting also touched on labour concerns involving UNHCR staff in Dadaab. Mr Jama urged the agency to address complaints from employees who claim their contracts were terminated unfairly.

“I raised the need for urgent attention to complaints recently made by a section of UNHCR employees in Dadaab, who allege that their contracts have been terminated improperly and without due regard to applicable labour laws and procedures,” the governor said.

Mr Jama further appealed to the agency not to close its Garissa town office, saying it plays a vital role in coordinating refugee operations and engagement with the county government.

“I requested that the UNHCR office in Garissa town remains operational, given its critical role in coordinating activities and engagement between the county government and the agency,” he said.

The governor also called for renewed support towards refugee development programmes under the Shirika Plan and the Garissa Integrated Socio-Economic Development Programme (GISIDEP), saying the initiatives require fresh funding and stronger international backing.

“I emphasized the need for UNHCR, under her leadership, to spearhead appropriate initiatives and engagements with international partners with the objective of reactivating and revitalizing these programmes through the mobilization of adequate funding and technical and financial support,” he said.

At the same time, Mr Jama warned that continued dependence on firewood in refugee camps was accelerating environmental degradation in Garissa County.

He urged UNHCR to help introduce alternative cooking fuel systems to reduce pressure on forests.

“I impressed upon her the urgent need to explore and implement alternative cooking fuel systems for the refugees so as to end the continued cutting of our already fragile county forests for firewood,” he said.

The governor congratulated Madam Mohammed-Cole on her appointment and wished her success in her new role overseeing UNHCR operations in Kenya.