DRS and WFP Partner to Enhance Food Security and Self-Reliance for Refugees and Host Communities

In a significant move to strengthen support for refugees and host communities, the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on differentiated assistance. This agreement aims to enhance food security, nutrition, and self-reliance for refugees and asylum seekers. Furthermore, Ms. Lauren Landis, WFP Representative and Country Director, also presented three vehicles to the Department of Refugee Affairs to facilitate transportation needs during their operations. The four-year partnership, signed on January 16, 2025, by Mr. John Burugu, Commissioner for Refugee Affairs, and Ms. Lauren Landis, WFP Representative and Country Director, targets refugee-hosting areas including Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Dadaab. Differentiated assistance introduces innovative approaches designed to provide tailored support based on the specific needs and vulnerabilities of refugees. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Burugu expressed DRS’s full commitment to the initiative. “We appreciate the role WFP is taking in looking into innovative approaches such as differentiated assistance. As you work toward providing assistance tailored to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of refugees, DRS assures you of our support so that the rollout is successful and promotes equity, fairness, and self-reliance among refugees. I am happy to note that I have received good reports from my staff in Dadaab on the organization and inclusivity of all stakeholders in the process,” he said. This collaboration aligns with Kenya’s transition from a camp-based to an integrated settlement model for refugee management, reflecting the government’s commitment to sustainable solutions. The MoU also emphasizes confidentiality in handling beneficiary data, adherence to ethical standards, and zero tolerance for fraud and exploitation. Ms. Landis reiterated WFP’s dedication to addressing urgent food and nutrition needs while building resilience within refugee and host communities as envisioned in the Shirika Plan. “This MoU reaffirms our joint dedication to addressing hunger and malnutrition, while also promoting resilience and integration,” she said. Key areas of focus include lifesaving nutrition-sensitive assistance, fostering economic self-reliance, and strengthening food systems in host communities. The agreement, effective immediately, will run until June 30, 2027, with provisions for renewal based on evolving priorities and performance outcomes. This partnership represents a major step forward in achieving sustainable solutions for refugees and their hosts in Kenya

By Stanley Nyale, Nairobi, Kenya