A tragic incident unfolded at the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Garissa County, where a stampede broke out among refugees waiting for food rations, resulting in the death of one individual. The stampede occurred at the Ifo 1 and Ifo 2 Food Distribution Points, which are crucial sources of sustenance for the thousands of refugees living in the camp.
According to a police report, the victim, a resident of Ifo 2, was among those queuing for food when the chaos ensued. His wife reportedly lost consciousness during the stampede and was rushed to the Ifo 2 Red Cross Hospital. Despite efforts to save her, she was placed on a life support machine but later succumbed to her injuries. The body is currently at the hospital awaiting a postmortem examination.
Eyewitnesses described a tense atmosphere, with refugees waiting for hours in the sweltering heat, causing frustration and agitation. As the situation became more dire, officers at the scene struggled to maintain order, ultimately leading to the stampede as people attempted to flee the overcrowded area.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and raised serious concerns about the management of food distribution in the camp. In response to the tragedy, the Dadaab refugee camp released a statement urging human rights groups and relevant organizations to take urgent action to prevent future occurrences.
The statement called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Department of Refugee Services (DRS), and other implementing partners to assess and address the situation at all distribution points. Among the proposed solutions were decentralizing food distribution centers, improving crowd management strategies, and enhancing emergency response protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of refugees.
As the community grapples with the loss, authorities and humanitarian groups are under pressure to reform the systems in place to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
