Last December, UNHCR stated it was alarmed by a string of recent security incidents targeting the Dadaab refugee complex in northern Kenya. Dadaab is the world’s largest refugee settlement and shelters more than 4,60,000 people.

An explosion at the Hagadera camp had killed one person and seriously injured two police officers. Another improvised explosive device went off on later near the market at Ifo camp.

In total there have been four such incidents at Dadaab since October when three aid workers were kidnapped. As a result three Kenyan police officers have been killed and four others wounded. There have also been threats against humanitarian agencies working in Dadaab. “We are deeply concerned for the well-being and safety of Somali refugees in Dadaab, most of whom are women, children and elderly,” said António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

As recently as July, a fire broke out and large quantities of foodstuffs and other goods were destroyed by a fire on July 29 at the main market in one of the camps making up Dadaab refugee complex in eastern Kenya. Officials said that 24 x 7 security monitoring at the camps was needed.