Due to the recent fighting in South Sudan, there has been heightened population migration in the past 2 weeks in Kakuma Refugee Camp. This crisis has forced many of the civilians to flee their country and seek refuge in the neighboring countries: Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. At the moment, new arrivals have been registered in Kakuma Refugee Camp since December 26th 2013. Approximately 80% of the total population are youths, 13% comprising women and the elderly, with 7% being old men. There are currently three reception centres handling new arrivals.
Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has been monitoring the situation of refugees entering Kakuma Camp. 70 - 80% of the refugees received were unaccompanied children and those separated from their family members. KRCS in collaboration with International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) is currently offering free telephone calls to those who have contacts to their missing relatives. This service is provided in three information centres where the refugees visit.
Between 8th and11th January 2014, a total of 529 calls had been made, out of which 396 were successful, and 133 unsuccessful due to poor network coverage in South Sudan. This service has benefited majority of the people seeking restoration of family links. By end of last week, 325 separated children and 175 unaccompanied minors had been identified. Spontaneous family re-unions are occurring because new families are still being received at the Nadapal boarder point. KRCS Tracing team is still on ground to restore family links.