U.S COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS
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USCRI Opens Office in Nairobi, Kenya

February 28, 2024

ARLINGTON, VA – The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) has officially opened an office in Nairobi, Kenya. This office is a significant addition to USCRI’s existing network of field offices across the United States, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. For over five decades, USCRI has advocated on behalf of refugees warehoused in camps indefinitely, particularly in East Africa.

“USCRI is pleased to expand direct services to protracted refugee camps in East Africa,” said Eskinder Negash, USCRI President and CEO. “Our office in Nairobi will provide social services to improve the health and education of child refugees, as well as advocacy for stronger refugee protections and policies.”

Over the last few decades, ongoing armed conflicts in neighboring countries, drought in the Horn of Africa, and human rights violations throughout the region have forced many to seek international protection in Kenya. This number reached 714,137 at the end of last month. Of this population, 51% are children. While most refugees and asylum seekers (86%) live in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps, 14% (99,960) live in urban areas. 1 Nairobi is becoming an increasingly appealing destination for refugees, primarily due to the city’s safety, access to services, and economic opportunities.

Following several visits over the last year to Nairobi and the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, USCRI looks forward to strengthening relationships with engaged partners throughout Kenya and East Africa.

Firdaus Bashee joins USCRI as Country Director, Kenya. Her commitment to humanitarian and advocacy causes for refugees and migrants is evident through her past contribution to the African Migration and Development Policy Centre and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Africa.

“I am honored and excited to contribute to USCRI’s continued success and growth, especially as we inaugurate our new office in Kenya,” said Bashee. To learn more about USCRI, visit www.refugees.org

Media Contact: [email protected]

 

ABOUT U.S. COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), established in 1911, is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees, unaccompanied migrating childrentrafficking survivors, and other immigrants in all 50 states, El SalvadorHonduras, Kenya, and Mexico. USCRI advocates for the rights of refugees and immigrants both nationally and globally, helping to drive humanitarian policies, practices, and laws

1. Data from UNHCR https://data.unhcr.org/en/documents/details/106784


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