Food donation meant for refugees in Dadaab and Kakuma camps.

By CHARLES MGHENYI

The Korea Republic has donated more than 10,000 tonnes of rice worth USD 9.53 million (Sh1.23 billion) to support refugees living in the Dadaab and Kakuma camps.

The donation was handed over on Tuesday at the World Food Programme warehouse in Mombasa during a ceremony attended by officials from the Kenyan government, South Korea and the WFP.

Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang described the donation as a timely demonstration of international solidarity as humanitarian agencies grapple with shrinking funding.

“Today’s handover is much more than a food donation. It is a powerful demonstration of international solidarity and shared responsibility towards some of the world’s most vulnerable populations,” he said.

Kipsang said the rice will provide critical food assistance to nearly 500,000 refugees at a time when aid agencies are struggling to meet growing needs with fewer resources.

Since 2018, South Korea has donated more than 132,000 metric tonnes of rice to refugees in Kenya through the WFP, adding that the continued support was commendable despite mounting global humanitarian pressures. 

The PS warned that reduced donor funding had forced agencies to cut food rations, leaving many refugee families struggling to survive.

“Behind every statistic are families whose resilience is being tested each day, mothers foregoing meals so that their children can eat, vulnerable people skipping meals and young people facing uncertain futures,” he said.

Kipsang said Kenya remains committed to protecting refugees while implementing the Shirika Plan, which seeks to transition refugees from long-term humanitarian dependence to self-reliance through improved access to education, livelihoods and public services.

“Hunger cannot be put on hold while we await the realisation of the Shirika Plan’s objectives,” he said, stressing that food security remains essential for the plan’s success.

South Korean ambassador Kang Hyung-shik said the donation reflected his country’s commitment to supporting refugees despite global economic and geopolitical challenges affecting humanitarian funding.

“As the large-scale refugee crisis is a global issue beyond the capacity of a single nation, international solidarity and cooperation are essential,” he said.

World Food Programme country director for Kenya Betty Ka said South Korea has been one of the agency’s most reliable humanitarian partners, contributing more than 118,000 metric tonnes of rice since 2018.

She said the latest consignment will sustain nearly half a million refugees in Dadaab and Kakuma over the coming months while strengthening WFP’s preparedness ahead of the anticipated El Nino season.

Published Date: July 30, 2026