Dadaab, Refugee settlement complex in Garissa County, Kenya
Dadaab is a settlement complex in Garissa County consisting of four separate camps – Dagahaley, Hagadera, Ifo, and Ifo 2 – where hundreds of thousands of people live. Schools, health centers, and marketplaces dot the area, providing essential services and meeting daily needs.
This settlement began in 1991 when people fled from Somalia into Kenya, and camps were hastily established. What was meant to be temporary has developed over decades into a permanent residential area.
Somali communities have established their own way of life here, with families living closely together and maintaining traditional customs. You see women and children actively shaping daily routines and social bonds throughout the settlement.
The settlement is walkable and has established infrastructure including schools, health clinics, and shops throughout the area. It is helpful to hire a local guide to navigate the different sections and understand how the community operates.
The settlement has grown into a significant trading hub where local markets connect people across the region and with Somalia. This active economic exchange shows how an emergency shelter has become a center for commerce and regional connections.
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