UNHCR to cut-off financial assistance from LGBTI refugees in Nairobi


UNHCR TO CUT-OFF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM LGBT REFUGEESS IN NAIROBI

LGBTI refugees are yet to find a hard time as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees – UNHCR in Kenya’s capital Nairobi is set to end financial assistance to LGBTI refugees. The UN refugee agency announced a possible move to cut off the financial assistance that it has been for all along offering to LGBTI refugees living in Nairobi. The agency announced the sad news through the focal person for LGBTI refugees Ms. Beth Waruiru in a series of meetings held between 4th to 6th December in different localities where LGBTI refugees reside.

The UN Refugee Agency has come to the decision majorly citing the limitedness of funds to continue with financially supporting LGBTI refugees living in urban settings. The agency further maintained that its high time LGBTI refugee involved in livelihood and income generating activities.

The move however, means the minority population will have to face the hostile host communities in the process. LGBT refugees have always showed interest to involve themselves into income generating activities but they feel the UNHCR has not really addressed the challenges retarding them from seeking employment and opportunities, concerns such as documentation has been raised as among the biggest challenge hindering refugees from seeking work and involving in business. It should be noted that the Identification Document issued by UNHCR to refugees upon registration is not that much considered by any public or private entity.

LGBTI refugees also expressed the continued harassment and discrimination by the host communities leaving a question on how the discriminated refugees shall be able to integrate with the homophobic Nationals and would be employers. The refugees went ahead and assured UNHCR how they have the skills set, educated and capability to work but the environment doesn’t allow them to.

The Agency also advised refugees to consider joining activities done by the Community Based Organizations like COSIR Kenya; an LGBTI refugee led CBO aiming at engaging LGBTI refugees into different livelihood projects that are quiet safe and in a safe place for persons of their status. COSIR has proposed to initiate a number of projects like poultry, modern tech piggery, and farming plus offering safe-housing to vulnerable LGBTI refugees. Currently a small poultry project is in place and due to the limitedness of funds; other projects are yet to start.

UN-ANSWERED QUESTIONS??

A number of concerns and questions remain unanswered and has left LGBTI refugees in panic leaving them with no option other the waiting for the sad news from the UN Refugee Agency to take effect. 

Here are a few of the unanswered questions raised:

v  How shall the LGBTI refugees survive amidst new legislations by county governments calling for firms to employ 70% of locals hence living almost no room for refugees to be hired?

v  If even the previous stipend of ksk.4500(US$.45) offered has been not enough to sustain one for a month, forcing refugees to engage in sex-work which is again illegal by law in Kenya risking themselves to being arrested and exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases. How will the situation be like after there’s no assistance at all?

v  How will the case be for LGBTI refugees with medical conditions and complications? A number of LGBTI refugees suffer from HIV/AIDS, body parts impairments, heart diseases among other chronicle illness that require special care and diet. Question is how will persons in this category manage to live?

Donate to COSIR’s cause to save LGBTI refugees in Kenya on thier Go FundMe campain on the link below:

https://www.gofundme.com/CosirRefugeesHome?pc=tw_dn_cpgntopnavlarge_r&rcid=r01-151447571293-bc63b63b8c9741e8



Comments

  1. Lawrence30 December 2017 at 06:28

    This is a indirect discrimination and if they take money from us we gonna suffer and a lot of bad things will happen to both us and UNHCR please we don't have relatives in Kenya and we have no jobs so stop please��

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown24 February 2018 at 07:25

    This is deplorable behavior. I have friends amongst this community. I am an activist from the USA. I can verify that this is true. The LGBTI are now dying of easily curable diseases, starvation amd mist are now homeless due to cutting off the livlihood stipened, which they were using for the very basic needs and it was not enough as it was. There is more than one way to commit genocide and cutting off access to basic needs for survival when a group has no hope for employment to take care of themselves with, is the same as committing such crime. Shame on you for repieting that they can get work, when hate, language barriers and bias in Kenya makes this impossible for them amd you know it. Shame on you. You were paid to take care of these people.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12 February 2019 at 00:51

    I've never felt safe in Nairobi,tried to leave for Thailand with the help of s friend and was arrested by immigration and sent to prison for 25 months. Now that I'm out and was considering registering with UNHCR and what i am reading,i guess i should prepare myself for whatever is coming up. Dying like a dog.

    ReplyDelete

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