Q. Consider the following statements: - Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north-western Kenya.
- Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
- Some people who fled from civil war in Somalia live in Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2022)
Answer:
2 and 3
Notes: The correct answer is
[C] 2 and 3. This question tests geographical knowledge of major refugee settlements in East Africa and the geopolitical reasons behind their formation.
- Statement 1 – Incorrect: Bidibidi is located in north-western Uganda, not Kenya. It was opened in 2016 to handle the massive influx of refugees and quickly became one of the largest refugee settlements in the world.
- Statement 2 – Correct: Bidibidi was specifically established to host refugees fleeing the South Sudan civil war. The proximity of north-western Uganda to the South Sudanese border made it a primary destination for those escaping the conflict that escalated in July 2016.
- Statement 3 – Correct: The Dadaab refugee complex is located in eastern Kenya (near the border with Somalia). It was established in the early 1990s and is primarily inhabited by people who fled the civil war in Somalia, as well as subsequent droughts and famine.
Key Facts:- Bidibidi (Uganda): Known for its unique "settlement" model rather than a traditional "camp" model, where refugees are given small plots of land to farm.
- Dadaab (Kenya): For a long time, it was considered the largest refugee camp in the world before being surpassed by Kutupalong in Bangladesh.
- Kakuma (Kenya): Another major camp in Kenya, which primarily hosts South Sudanese and Ethiopian refugees.