Just read a statement from UNHCR (UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees) regarding the conditions at Dadaab camp in eastern Kenya. It stated that the camp has received heavy rains that have led to flooding and an increase in the cases of waterborne disease, like cholera. Some of this disease is thought to be caused by camp residents opting for contaminated flood waters when water trucks have been slowed in delivery by the rains.
The statement also addresses the issue of camp security, which arose after two aid workers were kidnapped three weeks ago. The initial response in the camp was to limit aid activities within the camp until the situation could be addressed. It was hoped that these activites would return to normal levels soon, but with a news report of a car bombing in the camp earlier today (story), this may not happen soon.
This caught my attention because the The Lutheran World Federation, of which the ELCA is a member, manages the camp and their main areas of work are water distribution and camp security. As they struggle with these current developments I wanted to lift up the good work that they do on behalf of this church and to ask that they, and all those in Dadaab, be lifted up in prayer. May God grant them strength and His ever-abundant grace and peace.
