We work to protect the right of women, girls, and LGBTQ communities to access their full potential and live free from violence by supporting survivors, mitigating risks, and transforming beliefs that perpetuate GBV.
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Kenya
HIAS staffer Lucy Juwa (R) speaks with South Sudanese refugees in Nairobi, Kenya. (Brian Otieno for HIAS)
Office Locations
Nairobi: Eastleigh, Kayole, Kawangware, Mimosa
Founded
2002
Staff Size
128
Kenya is host to 774,330 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and other countries in the region. The urban refugee population in Nairobi has increased; 103,506 refugees and asylum seekers live in Nairobi and other urban areas. Kenya also has nearly 18,500 stateless individuals, many of whom live in Nairobi or the coastal region.
In the early 1990s the Kenyan government established Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps in northeast and northwest Kenya, enacted restrictions on freedom of movement, and limited the criteria for refugees eligible for assistance in Nairobi. Refugees and asylum seekers face a complex legal environment. Through the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework refugees should be able to receive healthcare and education like Kenyan citizens; however, in practice, for many refugees there are barriers to access.
11,000
people received services in 2023
Our Work
HIAS Kenya integrates best practices based on international standards with a focus on community-based protection and empowerment. We work to advocate and promote durable solutions for refugees, including local integration, safe and voluntary repatriation, and third-country resettlement. HIAS Kenya continues to monitor and adapt programs in response to the government of Kenya’s policies.
HIAS’ community-based mental health programs promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities affected by crisis and conflict so they can heal and rebuild their lives.
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Our economic inclusion programs ensure that refugees have economic opportunities to earn sustainable income and start their lives anew.
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We provide legal services and support, including free legal representation for asylum seekers so that everyone around the world, including displaced people, can have equal access to their legal rights.
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We work to protect the right of women, girls, and LGBTQ communities to access their full potential and live free from violence by supporting survivors, mitigating risks, and transforming beliefs that perpetuate GBV.
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Impact Story
A Refugee Football Team Scores Goals for Inclusion
Two years in a row now, HIAS Kenya and partner organizations have held the annual refugee football game to commemorate World Refugee Day. This year, the refugee team unfortunately lost, but they gained a very valuable life lesson.
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Resources and Publications
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Working with LGBTQ+ Communities in Displacement
LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers face disproportionate levels of violence and discrimination worldwide. HIAS supports LGBTQ+ displaced people to access their rights and rebuild their lives in dignity. Download this factsheet to learn more about our work with LGBTQ+ communities.
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HIAS Kenya Meta-Assessment of Project Evaluations (2020 – 2023)
The purpose of this meta-assessment was to conduct an extensive literature review, review project evaluations (baseline, mid-term, and endline) and project performance reports conducted between 2020 and 2023 to identify gaps among refugees across the HIAS signature programs and localization.
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HIAS Kenya Refugee Resettlement Fraud Awareness and Prevention (Kinyamulenge)
This resource (in Kinyamulenge) provides information about HIAS Kenya's refugee resettlement program and how to avoid fraud and bad actors.
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HIAS Kenya Refugee Resettlement Fraud Awareness and Prevention (Somali)
This resource (in Somali) provides information about HIAS Kenya's refugee resettlement program and how to avoid fraud and bad actors.
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HIAS Kenya Refugee Resettlement Fraud Awareness and Prevention (English)
This resource (in English) provides information about HIAS Kenya's refugee resettlement program and how to avoid fraud and bad actors.
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HIAS Kenya Refugee Resettlement FAQ (Kinyamulenge)
This resource provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about HIAS Kenya's refugee resettlement program in Kinyamulenge.
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HIAS Kenya Refugee Resettlement FAQ (Somali)
This resource provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about HIAS Kenya's refugee resettlement program in Somali.
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HIAS Kenya Refugee Resettlement FAQ (English)
This resource provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about HIAS Kenya's refugee resettlement program in English.
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HIAS Kenya Refugee Resettlement Process (Kinyamulenge)
This resource explains the refugee resettlement process and who is eligible at HIAS Kenya in Kinyamulenge.
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HIAS Kenya Refugee Resettlement Process (Somali)
This resource explains the refugee resettlement process and who is eligible at HIAS Kenya in Somali.
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HIAS Kenya Refugee Resettlement Process (English)
This resource explains the refugee resettlement process and who is eligible at HIAS Kenya in English.
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Drought Protection Needs Assessment Report in Lamu County, Kenya
This report underscores the needs of the refugee and host communities affected by drought in Lamu county. Residents in Lamu face protection issues, emphasizing the need for comprehensive programming priorities addressing legal protection, mental health, economic inclusion, and gender-based violence.
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Protection Assessment of LGBTQI+ Displaced Persons in Urban Kenya
This report presents findings from a mixed-methods protection assessment of LGBTQI+ displaced persons living in three Kenyan cities: Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru. This report provides valuable insights into protection gaps and charts programming and advocacy priorities.
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Certain refugee populations—including older, disabled, male survivors and sexual minority refugees—are often overlooked in sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response efforts. This report identifies the particular protection gaps that these at-risk refugees face; highlights good practices; and makes recommendations to allow survivors to fully recover and rebuild their lives in dignity.
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Persecution on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is often the motivating factor for flight, but is seldom the reason given by refugees and asylum seekers themselves.
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HIAS’ services are free. If someone tries to charge you for services claiming they represent HIAS, please report it at our confidential email address: ethics@hias.org. HIAS has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption.
For any other inquiries please email us at info@hias.org.
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