Help LGBTQIA Refugees Survive in Camp Kakuma

Hi, my name is Megan (she/her) and I am fundraising on behalf of six queer refugees in Camp Kakuma. This group of refugees is part of a much larger LGTBQIA+ 'community', which consists of ~1000+ people. These six individuals live together, as they are all from Uganda.

Camp Kakuma is a huge refugee camp (160k+ individuals) in Kenya that has essentially become a city over the last 30 years it has been open. Once a refugee enters they are often trapped inside the city, as getting the correct papers to leave or migrate to a new area are extremely difficult. And being queer in Camp Kakuma only makes life more difficult.

Homophobia and general bigotry run rampant in East Africa, thus why these people have come to Camp Kakuma. Coming out as queer in Uganda can lead to being cut off from one's community and family, and greatly increases the risk of physical harm. Unfortunately, this risk is only more heightened in Camp Kakuma. Queer refugees are unable to work or even walk through the camp without constant fear they will be attacked.

Other refugees do not take kindly to the queer refugees' presence and will not hesitate to make that known. Physical attacks on the queer refugees themselves are fairly common and the refugees cannot work, as their stores or merchandise will be stolen, burned, or otherwise harmed. This makes life incredibly hard, as money is a necessity in Camp Kakuma.

There are food and shelter rations (refugees must construct their own shelter upon entering the camp), but they are sparse. The food rations are based on a certain amount of calories per day but are often ingredients such as corn flour or other items that require purchasing additional food to actually cook or process the ingredient. Money to purchase more food is not provided and must be fundraised privately.

There is limited medical care provided, refugees must pay out of pocket for visiting a doc or getting medicine or surgery, among other medical necessities. Diseases such as measles, typhoid, malaria, and sexually transmitted diseases or infections are common. Often queer refugees must fundraise online (while in pain and scared) for days before being able to receive care.

Donations to this GoFundMe will go towards food, medicine, or materials to build structures normally. Donations around special events/holidays (such as Pride or Christmas) may go towards a celebration, to be able to have some moments of joy amidst a very difficult existence.

The linked video is where my friend Collines and five other refugees spend almost all of their time. Leaving this structure puts them at risk of being injured, as other refugees are intensely homophobic. As you can see the space is quite small and the days are incredibly hot in Kenya, which makes living here quite uncomfortable.

Any and all donations will help improve their quality of life immensely and are so appreciated. And please share this fundraiser, as donations are always needed for medicine and food.