How Specialised Care is Transforming Lives for Disabled Refugees in Kenya
Kakuma, 13 September 2026
Humanitarian groups are delivering life-changing home-based rehabilitation and inclusive education to disabled refugees in Kenya’s Kakuma camp, ensuring vital physical and psychological support reaches the most vulnerable.
A Lifeline of Specialised Services in Kakuma and Kalobeyei
For refugees and host community members living with disabilities in the Kakuma Refugee Camp and the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement, accessing specialised care is essential for daily survival and long-term well-being [1]. To meet these critical needs, humanitarian organisations such as Humanity & Inclusion (HI) and the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) work in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) [1]. These agencies provide a comprehensive range of services, including physical rehabilitation, mobility assistance, and psychosocial support, ensuring that vulnerable individuals are not left behind in these challenging environments [1].
How to Access Rehabilitation and Support Services
Accessing these vital rehabilitation therapies has been designed to ensure that those in need can receive help quickly and efficiently [1]. Humanity & Inclusion operates dedicated service centres across multiple locations, including Kakuma 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as in Kalobeyei Village 1 [1]. These centres are open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 17:00 [1]. For the most vulnerable individuals who are unable to travel to these centres due to severe physical limitations, HI and its partners also deliver home-based rehabilitative care directly to their shelters [1].
Eligibility and Contact Information
These specialised services are entirely free and available to both refugees and members of the Turkana host community who live with physical or mental disabilities [1]. To apply for assistance, ask questions, or report a case, individuals can contact the UNHCR directly through several channels [1]. A toll-free telephone helpline is available at 1517 [1]. Alternatively, enquiries can be sent via email to help.kenya@unhcr.org, or specifically for the Kakuma region, at kennaka@unhcr.org [1].
Inclusive Education and Support for Families
In addition to physical therapy, educational inclusion remains a key pillar of the humanitarian response in the region [1]. The Jesuit Refugee Service operates five inclusive education facilities within Kakuma and the surrounding host community, providing children with disabilities with both regular and specialised education, alongside auxiliary and psychosocial services [1]. Recognising that disability affects the entire household, JRS also conducts community outreach to find homebound children, while offering essential training, counselling, and psychological support to their parents and caregivers [1].