Casual workers sacked by UNHCR in Dadaab stage protests

The situation in Dadaab seems to be getting worse each day, following the termination of contracts of a section of the host community staff working at the UNHCR offices.

The crisis stems from an Executive Order issued by US President Donald Trump on January 20, the day he assumed office. His country remains one of the largest donors to UNHCR. 

The freezing of foreign aid, including USAID programmes, has had far-reaching consequences, especially for vulnerable populations like the refugees.

A section of the host community staff, who were employed by the UNHCR on contract basis are the latest to be affected.

On Wednesday, more than 100 workers took to the streets to protest termination of their contracts earlier this week.

The employees included watchmen, cooks and sweepers.

Speaking to the outside the Dadaab UNHCR offices, Abdi Gedi the chairman of the host community employees regretted the turn of events, saying they were handed the termination letters a day before.

“We reported on duty yesterday only to be handed letters terminating our contracts. This was done with minimal notice. We find this to be completely unfair to us,” Abdi, a watchman, said.

 “I feel extremely betrayed by my employer. I have dedicated 25 years working here, including during difficult times, only for the employer to wake up and sack me without prior notice or explanation. How am I expected to handle this situation, considering that I have a family to care for?" he posed.

Suleiman Ahmed wondered why they were sacrificed, yet employees who take home huge salaries were spared.

“We find this to be discriminative because how come staff working with UNHCR and those who earn huge salaries were spared? Those of us who take home very little have been laid off. What criteria were they using when they arrived at this decision?” he asked.

Nasibo Abdifarah, a cleaner, said it is unfortunate their kindness of hosting the refugees has been taken for granted.

“As we are aware, these refugees have destroyed our environment in a big way. The only thing we can say we are benefiting from is by UNHCR employing a few members of the host community. Now that they have sacked us, what business do we have to continue hosting them?” she posed.

Abdifarah said a majority of those affected were the youth, and individuals with ill intentions can easily lure them to join criminal groupings.

Last week, hundreds of refugees from the four camps — Dagahaley, Hagadera, Ifo and Ifo 2 — gathered at Ifo 2 to raise their voices in peaceful protest.

They appealed to donor countries, particularly the US, to reconsider their positions and restore life-saving humanitarian aid.

UNHCR has since acknowledged the termination of the contracts of a section of the host community staff but cited unavoidable budget constraints due to the loss of a major donor.