DARLON Advocacy Statement on Illegal Migration (Tahriib) in Dadaab Refugee Camps: Addressing the Root Causes to Build Safer Future…
For over thirty years, the Dadaab refugee camps have offered safety to those fleeing conflict, persecution, and disaster. Yet beneath this sanctuary lies a deep crisis: the growing wave of illegal migration, known locally as Tahriib.
Every year, young men and women risk their lives through perilous journeys across deserts, seas, and borders in search of dignity, opportunity, and hope. This is not merely a matter of border control, it is a humanitarian emergency rooted in unmet needs, systemic barriers, and prolonged uncertainty.
Drivers of Illegal Migration in Dadaab:
1. Lack of Economic Opportunities
Refugee youth are locked out of formal employment and entrepreneurship. With restrictive policies, scarce livelihood programs, and limited access to markets, many see Tahriib as the only route to economic independence and dignity.
2. Educational Barriers
While many youth complete secondary education, access to higher education and vocational training is extremely limited. The absence of pathways to skills development or scholarships pushes them to look beyond the camp for opportunities.
3. Protracted Displacement and Uncertainty
Refugees in Dadaab live in limbo, with few durable solutions be it resettlement, integration, or safe voluntary return. The lack of long-term perspectives creates despair, especially among youth who feel trapped in a cycle of aid dependency.
4. Social and Peer Pressure Tahriib has become a social phenomenon.
Success stories of those who made it abroad circulate widely, often overshadowing the countless tragedies. Young people face pressure from peers and families to “try their luck,” believing their value lies in sending remittances back home.
5. Exploitation by Smugglers and Traffickers
Smuggling networks prey on the vulnerabilities of refugees, promising quick routes to Europe or the Middle East while concealing the dangers of exploitation, sexual violence, slavery, or even death along the way.
6. Insecurity and Protection
Gaps in the Camps Crime, overcrowding, lack of adequate protection, and tensions between communities create a sense of insecurity. Many youth view migration as an escape from daily risks inside the camps.
7. Mental Health Struggles and Loss of Hope
Years of uncertainty, poverty, and unfulfilled dreams weigh heavily on young refugees. With limited psychosocial support, many fall into despair and see illegal migration as the only way to reclaim control over their futures.
8. Limited Legal Pathways and Restrictive Policies
With shrinking resettlement slots, slow implementation of refugee policies, and bureaucratic hurdles for permits, youth feel locked out of legal and dignified mobility.
The absence of safe, accessible pathways fuels irregular migration.
DARLON’s Call to Action…
Illegal migration in Dadaab is not born from recklessness, it is born from desperation. It is a symptom of systems that deny young people opportunities to live with dignity where they are. To address Tahriib, we must go beyond border enforcement and instead tackle the root causes.
DARLON calls on governments, humanitarian agencies, human rights defenders, and partners to:…
A. Expand Livelihoods and Education: Invest in vocational training, digital jobs, scholarships, and entrepreneurship programs to give youth alternatives to Tahriib.
B. Promote Legal Pathways and Policy Reform: Implement the Refugee Act and the SHIRIKA Plan to ensure refugees access work, movement, and integration. Increase resettlement and family reunification slots.
C. Strengthen Awareness and Community Engagement: Launch youth-led campaigns, storytelling, and digital platforms to inform communities about the dangers of illegal migration while amplifying local success stories.
D. Address Mental Health and Resilience: Expand psychosocial support, leadership development, and safe spaces for youth to channel their energy into peacebuilding and innovation.
E. Enhance Protection and Security: Ensure safety inside the camps, addressing crime, SGBV, and community tensions to reduce insecurity-driven migration.
F. Engage Refugee Voices: Center refugee youth in decision-making processes, recognizing them not as passive recipients of aid but as active drivers of solutions.
Lastly, but not the…
Illegal migration from Dadaab is not inevitable. It is preventable when we provide hope, opportunity, and protection.
By working together, we can replace the dangerous lure of Tahriib with safe, dignified, and legal pathways for the future.
DARLON reaffirms its commitment to collaborate with stakeholders, advocate for refugee rights, and empower young people to build safer, stronger, and more inclusive communities.
We call on all partners, humanitarian agencies, policymakers, donors, and well-wishers to join us in ending illegal migration and transforming despair into resilience.
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