Kenya: MSF relocates 42 staff from Dadaab to Nairobi

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Following a series of recent incidents in the area of Dadaab, 42 staff (one third of the staff living in the MSF compound in Dadaab) has been relocated to Nairobi today. This is a preventive measure, which will unfortunately have a direct impact on our ability to provide the much needed medical assistance to the refugees.

Two health posts out of four have already been closed as a result and some medical services such as antenatal care have been suspended.

MSF will continue to evaluate the situation hoping that security in the camps for the refugees and our staff can be assured. Once guarantees have been obtained, MSF can return to full activities as soon as possible.

For background information: MSF has been working in Dadaab for 20 years and is currently the only provider of medical care in Dagahaley camp. In 2014, MSF provided 180,000 outpatient consultations, admitted 12,000 people as inpatients, provided 12,000 antenatal consultations and delivered 3,240 babies in Dagahaley camp. In the aftermath of the Garissa University attacks on 2 April, MSF deployed a team from Dadaab to support Garissa hospital in treating the wounded, and provided medical assistance at Garissa airport, to where hundreds of students had been evacuated.