Introduction

1. As we all might be aware, we are undergoing significant changes that involve moving toward a differentiated assistance model, because of several critical changes in the situation.
   1. Humanitarian funding has continued to decline over the years due to competing global crises. Despite these financial constraints, the number of refugees requiring support in Kenya has steadily increased putting greater pressure on available resources and services.
   1. The situation in Kenya has lasted for a long time, with refugee camps such as Dadaab and Kakuma having existed for over 35 years necessitating a move away from emergency-focused humanitarian responses toward sustainable, resilience-building interventions that consider the needs and abilities.
   1. There have been important changes in laws and donor expectations that affect how refugee support is provided. Donors now want to make sure that the support given is fair, reaches those who need it most, and helps families become more self-reliant over time.
2. Key activities to date
   1. In September 2024, DRS, WFP, UNHCR and other partners held meetings with many of you in Dadaab/Kakuma/Kalobeyei (123 sessions in Kakuma/Kalobeyei and 152 in Dadaab123 sessions in Kakuma/Kalobeyei and 152 in Dadaab) to better understand the needs, vulnerabilities and abilities of refugees. Some of the households you mentioned that are considered as extremely vulnerable are:
      1. New arrivals
      1. Female- or child-headed households
      1. Elderly person
      1. Persons with chronic illness
      1. Those without source of income
      1. Feedback from the consultations was presented at town hall meetings in all the camps/settlements, where community members confirmed its accuracy in [NM1] [NM2] October 2024.
      1. After this confirmation by those that attended the consultations, DRS, UNHCR, WFP and other partners developed the eligibility criteria for households to be placed in four different categories
3. Category 1 – Vulnerable households
4. Category 2 – Households with limited potential to meet basic needs.
5. Category 3 – Partially Self-Reliant (Households with potential to meet basic needs)
6. Category 4 – Self-Reliant households
   1. Households in category 1 include:
      1. Child headed households/unaccompanied minors (not linked to any other household)
      1. New arrivals who have stayed in the camps for up to 1 year.
      1. Single female headed households with many dependents (5 and above).
      1. Head of household with severe disability with many dependents
      1. Elderly head of household with many dependents (5 and above)
      1. Head of household who is chronically ill and with many dependents. (5 and above)
   1. Households in categories 2 include:
      1. Households with basic education and skills but not accredited.
      1. Households engaged in casual or inconsistent employment.
      1. Households engaged with small scale business.
      1. Households without support system from other household members
      1. Has between (3 to 5) dependents with minimal ability to meet their needs
   1. households in categories 3 include:
      1. Households with vocational skills with accreditation.
      1. Households engaged in consistent employment able to meet part of basic needs
      1. Households engaged with medium scale business.
      1. Household head eligible and has interest for livelihood training and support
      1. Has few dependents (2 to 3) or able to meet needs of dependents
   1. Those in category 4
      1. Households with income that enables them to fully meet their basic needs.
      1. Households with members who are engaged in significant economic activities.
      1. Households with fewer dependents or has ability to care for existing dependents
      1. Households in consistent employment
      1. Households with members who have accredited vocational skills.

 DRS, UNHCR and WFP have also analysed other data sources including from household interviews such as the recent Enhanced Single Registry (ESR), to complement the initial data and placed households into the correct category so that they can receive the required support.

• Today we are here to provide information on the processes done so far and the activities we shall be having on Differentiated Assistance.
  
  
• In July 2025
  • During this month, DRS, UNHCR, WFP and other partners will inform all households in which category you have been placed through the following channels starting the 10th of July.
  • An SMS will be sent to your Bamba Chakula line indicating which category your household has been placed in.- For those who have their SIM cards at traders are requested to visit traders before the 10th
  • There will be staff who will provide each household with their assigned category.
  • For those who do not receive SMS, you can visit the helpdesk food distribution center, UNHCR Field posts, and DRS offices where you shall be informed on the category you have been placed.
  • from 11th to 18th the recourse desk will be open
• Starting August 2025
  • The original plan for Differentiated Assistance (DA) was to provide humanitarian food assistance to Categories 1,2, and 3. However, due to resource constraints, WFP is forced to only provide food assistance to ONLY Category 1 and 2.
  • Category 1 (Vulnerable households with no capacity or potential to meet basic needs) will receive 40% food assistance and support for health. They shall continue to receive other services like protection, education, WASH, Livelihood support. Any changes to the amount of humanitarian support provided will depend on availability of resources and communication will be duly done.
• Category 2 (Households with limited potential to meet basic needs) will receive 20% food assistance and protection support while other non-food assistance support like health and nutrition services, education, WASH, Livelihood support, may be provided for now but may change based on availability of resources.
• Category 3 (Households with potential to meet basic needs (Partially Self-Reliant) will NOT receive food assistance. They will be eligible for protection support and more livelihood support such as enhanced training, business support and financial support for businesses. Based on available resources, they may be provided with other services like health and nutrition services, WASH. There are other programs that are being planned that members in this category will benefit from.
• Category 4 (Self-Reliant households) will NOT receive any food assistance. They will be eligible for protection services, access to large business loans, access to faster processing of key documents from government such as movement pass, licenses and permits.
  • Please be aware that the type and amount of support you receive may change from time to time. This will depend on the funds and services available for different programmes such as food, water and sanitation (WASH), health and nutrition, education, livelihoods, and others.
  • Refugee or asylum seeker status remains the same regardless of their category. The will still be eligible for protection support.
  • We will continue to share updates with you through regular community communication.
  • We understand that changes in assistance can raise questions and concerns. Please know that our priority is to use the resources we have in the fairest way possible, so that everyone who needs help can receive it. We will keep you fully informed through community meetings, help desks, and radio announcements.
• Review and recourse process
  • While DRS, WFP and UNHCR strive to have accurate household categorizations, we recognise that some families might feel that they have been placed in the wrong category.
  • To request for a review of their categories, refugees can visit the food distribution centres from the 11th to the 18th where there will be a dedicated team set-up to receive all requests. The team will also provide more detailed information on the category and what your household shall receive.
  • If you are unable to come to the food distribution centre, you may call the WFP helpline (0800722446) or the UNHCR helpline (1517), approach a WFP/ UNHCR/DRS help desk or a UNHCR partner protection desk, or speak with a WFP or UNHCR field staff member.
  • For all those who request a review, a response on the outcome of the review will be provided after 1 month. An inter-agency team will review all requests fairly and provide recommendations to either maintain or re-categorize the household.
  • Making a request for category review or updating your household registration information will not automatically lead to a change in your categorisation. This is because a household’s categorisation is based on a combination of different household characteristics.
  • Your Refugee Status is Not Linked to Food Assistance or Biometric (“Finger”) Verification
• DRS, UNHCR, and WFP have officially de-linked biometric (or “finger”) verification for food assistance from refugee registration status.

This means that your refugee status remains valid (you will not be deactivated) even if you miss three or more consecutive biometric verifications for food.

Your refugee status will not be affected by whether or not you receive food assistance

Services provided by WFP, UNHCR, DRS and partner organizations are free of charge, and they have zero tolerance towards corruption, fraud, falsification of documents, sexual exploitation, and abuse. There should never be any exchange of resources or services, including sexual favors, requested by any of the authorities, staff or partners involved.

• DRS, UNHCR and WFP shall apply the humanitarian principles of “do-no-harm” where protection concerns will be considered at all stages of the process.
• Should you experience or witness any misconduct report immediately to WFP or UNHCR’s channels provided. 
• There shall be regular communication forums at each camp which will inform all refugees on the progress of the different processes for the differentiated assistance. Please look out for engagement forums near you to ensure your feedback is well captured.