Increasingly, ethnic Somali pastoralists in North Eastern Kenya,
are losing their main source of livelihood due to drought and other
environmental factors, and are vulnerable to risks associated with
irregular migration such as human trafficking and smuggling,
according to an IOM research assessment.

The assessment conducted in 2009 aimed to determine and document
sources of livelihood for the former pastoralists as well as to
profile their vulnerability, while recommending alternative sources
of livelihood. The study shows that individuals  who have been
forced to migrate from their rural homes into urban centres in
search of a better life often end up in subsistence wage  jobs
due to lack of skills and education. As a result, they are faced
with inadequate access to food, water, healthcare, stable housing
structures, and other basic needs which further puts them at risk
for labour exploitation.

In response to this situation, IOM in partnership with the
Kenyan Ministry of State for National Heritage and Culture has set
up a Somali Community Cultural Centre in the Garissa District of
North Eastern Province to support this vulnerable group. Dedication
and formal opening of the centre will take place on 23 July.

The multi-purpose centre will support the community by
showcasing traditional Somali culture while also serving as a
gathering place where neighbouring communities can come together.
The venue will also provide recreational activities and information
forums on various issues such as irregular migration and human
trafficking under a joint agreement between IOM and the Government
of Kenya.

Additionally, the centre will provide skills development for the
former pastoralists through various training such as handcrafts
weaving. Weavings take approximately one to two days to complete
and sell for approximately 5,000 shillings or just over USD 60.

The centre was established with funding from the Tokyo
International Conference on African Development (TICAD) and is an
activity under the programme Integrated Response to Food Insecure
Vulnerable Families in the Rift Valley and the Northern Regions of
Kenya, that aims to mitigate negative impacts of food insecurity on
affected families and other vulnerable groups through
re-establishment of livelihoods, countering human trafficking and
fostering an environment of peace. Construction is planned for a
similar centre at Kakuma, in North Western Kenya.

For more information, please contact:

Jerotich Seii Houlding

Programme Manager

Emergency and Post Crisis Unit, IOM Nairobi

E-mail: "mailto:jseiihoulding@iom.int">jseiihoulding@iom.int

or

Alia Hirji

Project Officer

Counter Trafficking Emergency Post Crisis Unit, IOM

E-mail: "mailto:Nairobiahirji@iom.int">Nairobiahirji@iom.int