Children of Dadaab

• Prize
• Photographer
  Xiao Gu, United States

As the world’s largest refugee camp complex in
Kenya, Dadaab hosts more than 300,000 refugees,
most of whom are victims of the Somali Civil War.
In this densely populated area without electricity or
running tap water, refugees typically live in tents
made of plastic sheeting. Nearly half of the children
were not enrolled in school, volunteers would take
a role as teachers, teaching them some basic
words. For most children, lunch is just a cup of
flour-made gruel since UNWFP has to cut food
rations due to a funding shortage. Flies could be
found everywhere; Child death rate is very high
due to malnutrition and lack of sanitation. However,
the harsh conditions and environment cannot block
the innocence shining through from the children's
eyes as they combat with the adversities and
continue to survive and strive.