(KALOBEYEI) – Refugees residing in Kalobeyei and Kakuma camps in northwestern Kenya have launched demonstrations following the introduction of a new food assistance system by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and its partner agencies.
The protests were triggered by the rollout of a differentiated aid model, which categorises refugees based on their perceived level of vulnerability. Many South Sudanese refugees in the camps have raised concerns that this classification will worsen already difficult living conditions.
According to Lino Unyango, a refugee and resident of Kalobeyei, the community is upset over what they see as an unequal and unclear rationing scheme. He explained that the system classifies refugees into four categories, with only the first two receiving food support.
Those in Category One, identified as the most vulnerable, are allocated 1,060 Kenyan Shillings (KES) per family member monthly—equivalent to approximately $8.22 or 37,853 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) at current official exchange rates.
Category Two receives 530 KES, which is about $4.11 or 18,926 SSP per person. Refugees under Categories Three and Four receive no food assistance, as they are considered to have alternative income sources or self sufficiency.
| Category | Monthly Aid per Person (KES) | Equivalent in USD | Equivalent in SSP (Official) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 1,060 | $8.22 | 37,853 SSP |
| Category 2 | 530 | $4.11 | 18,926 SSP |
| Category 3 | 0 | $0.00 | 0 SSP |
| Category 4 | 0 | $0.00 | 0 SSP |
Unyango also linked the tension to the Shirika Plan, a Kenyan government initiative aimed at integrating long term refugees, many of whom are from South Sudan, into Kenyan society. He said some refugees now fear that naturalisation or integration under this plan could result in them losing their rations entirely.
He added that while UNHCR and WFP held a consultative meeting with camp residents in September last year to explain the new aid structure, many refugees still feel unprepared for the consequences. Some claim they were unaware of which category they had been placed in until the changes were already being implemented.
UN agencies have cited funding constraints particularly from the United States and other traditional donors as the main reason for the reduction in support. They maintain that the new targeted approach is necessary to make the most of limited resources.
However, refugees argue that more should have been done to inform and prepare them for the transition. “People are confused and hungry. Many have not received food in over a month,” Unyango said.
“Some are thinking of returning to South Sudan, even though the situation there remains unstable.”
Refugee leaders have called on UN agencies and humanitarian organisations to increase communication and education about the new system. They are also urging the agencies to explore additional support mechanisms to avoid worsening the humanitarian situation.
Kenya currently hosts over 200,000 refugees from South Sudan, many of whom fled civil conflict and continue to rely heavily on humanitarian assistance for survival.
