CDH/VICAR has documented a deeply alarming incident in Kakuma refugee camp, where a refugee woman narrowly escaped suicide after being unable to feed herself and her child. According to multiple witnesses, the woman’s distress was directly linked to prolonged food shortages and the recent reduction and categorization of food assistance. This incident highlights the acute humanitarian crisis facing refugees who are struggling to survive under increasingly restrictive aid conditions.
Witnesses report that changes in food distribution systems have severely disrupted daily life in the camp. Families who were already living on the margins have seen their rations reduced to levels that are insufficient to meet basic nutritional needs. The categorization of assistance has excluded many households from adequate support, leaving single mothers and families with children particularly vulnerable to hunger, stress, and psychological breakdown.
CDH/VICAR notes that food insecurity is not only a matter of physical survival but also a major driver of mental health emergencies. The inability to provide food for one’s child has devastating emotional consequences, pushing individuals into despair and hopelessness. Refugees in Kakuma increasingly describe feelings of abandonment, anxiety, and fear, compounded by the absence of effective psychosocial support mechanisms within the camp.
CDH/VICAR calls on humanitarian agencies, UNHCR, and donors to urgently review food assistance policies in Kakuma camp and to ensure that no refugee is left without adequate sustenance. Emergency psychosocial support must be strengthened, particularly for women and caregivers. The organization reiterates that the right to food and the right to life with dignity are fundamental and must not be compromised by administrative or funding decisions.
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