From Kenya, MAF Disaster Response Manager John Woodberry reports:
MAF’s Caravan was landed with a delegation from Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to oversee some of the work they are involved in. They are in charge of managing and coordinating much of the activity at the three refugee camps that dwarf the aerial view around Dadaab when you fly in. They are also involved in schools, over 13,000 kids attend small schools in the camps. As we drove home from a trip to the camps, my mind is still etched with images of people waiting in long lines getting registered to have a small tent in the camp and food. Once processed, a ration card allows them to get food for their family twice a month.
People arrive with mostly nothing, but they still have dignity, the dignity that God has given all of us made in His image. God is calling us to love our neighbours. There are still 1,300 arriving a day, but the camps only have capacity to register about 800 per day, the amount they processed today. More than 70,000 refugees have arrived since 6 June. It is so much easier to take care of needs where people are from, but still they come hoping for food and security from the drought, famine and evil facing so many in Somalia. Many people make small huts out of sticks, bushes and pieces of tarp and live outside of the camp until they can be processed in. God what are you asking me, one so blessed, to do? Miles and miles of huts and tents, the original camps started in 1991 and are rapidly increasing. A new camp extension has just been opened with new shinning white tents that look so different from the older camps. Saving life physical and spiritually is truly God’s work. By doing this work we are showing the Love of God in action.
On the flight to Dadaab was the director of the LWF Department for World Services, Rev Eberhard Hitzler, travelling from Switzerland. Asked what he thought was the biggest challenge in Dadaab, Rev Hitzler responded, ‘Finding ways to accommodate the people in a dignified way to ensure care of the refugees.’
The full interview from Rev Hitzler can be read from the
Lutheran World website.
One area where MAF can offer a valuable service to field workers is dependable, reliable transport every 8 to 12 weeks for rest and relaxation and to stay encouraged.
The normal eight-hour day doesn’t apply when the needs of people exist 24-7. Reduced travel time will help make a huge difference to field workers travelling to and from Dadaab.