Support Kakuma LGBT refugees in need

Currently over 200,000 people are living in Kakuma - mainly from Uganda, Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Rwanda and Burundi - although the camp was originally set up to house about 60,000. Conditions are cramped, nerves are tense. Around 50 people have to share a hut (see photo on the official UNHCR site linked above). Due to persecution in neighboring Uganda, more and more LGBTQ + people are arriving every day. Currently there are around 800, distributed over 40 huts, although space is now becoming scarce and some already have to sleep outside. In addition to everything that refugees normally go through, they are also exposed to violence and hostility from other camp residents and suffer reprisals from some employees, including security forces and even medical staff. Thus queuing for food becomes a gauntlet, medication is being withheld, members of the community are being arrested for no good reason, and assaults by other refugees have become a frequent occurrence. Attempts at conciliatory or friendly contact, for example through sporting activities, are being rejected, and LGBTQ + people are accused of base motives.

On March 15 one of the "LGBTQ+ huts" became target of an arson attack . Four men were gravely wounded, one of them died later due to his injuries.

After the arson attack, the UNHCR promised to increase the security measures for LGBTQ + people, but in his circle of friends alone, Lawrence reports another three deaths as a result of the situation, including a 5-month-old child.

All of the images displayed here were sent to me first hand by people in the camp. I asked friends and family for support with various petitions, some of them also sent me a donation, which I was able to forward directly thanks to digital transfer. Just 50 cents are enough to provide a person in camp with proper meals for one day. Donations also allow for urgently needed medication to be obtained and medical bills to be paid immediately, thus ensuring rapid treatment. Of course, this only alleviates the symptoms of the problem, but makes the situation in camp immensely more livable. Every dollar collected here will directly benefit the whole community.