UNHCR Expands Educational Pathways for Kakuma Refugees to Study Abroad
Kakuma, 15 January 2026
The UN refugee agency has launched new programmes offering Kakuma camp refugees direct access to education opportunities in third countries, bypassing traditional resettlement processes. These complementary pathways include scholarships, employment programmes, and family reunification options that provide legal status whilst refugees pursue studies abroad. The initiative comes as Kenya hosts over 800,000 refugees, with approximately 300,000 in Kakuma alone. Programmes like WUSC and Mastercard scholarships are announced annually, whilst labour mobility projects connect qualified refugees—particularly healthcare workers—with Canadian employers. This development represents a significant shift from aid dependency towards self-reliance through education and skills development.
How to Access Educational Opportunities
Refugees seeking educational pathways must first ensure their personal information is current with UNHCR. The agency requires accurate family, education, and skills data to be updated through appointments with the Department of Refugee Secretariat (DRS) at Field Post 2 [1]. Scholarship programmes such as WUSC, Mastercard scholarships, UNICORE, and Habesha/DIME are announced annually in Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps [1]. For direct assistance with complementary pathways, refugees can contact [email protected], whilst documentation support is available through [email protected] [1].
Labour Mobility Requirements and Process
RefugePoint is currently reaching out for applications from refugees in Kenya for opportunities under Canada’s economic migration pathways [1]. The programme specifically targets healthcare workers, with strict eligibility criteria that applicants must meet. Requirements include recognised refugee status in Kenya with documentation from the Department of Refugee Services (DRS), a Certificate, Diploma or Degree in Nursing or Clinical Medicine (Clinical Officer) or related fields, and 2-3 years’ work experience as a Nurse or Clinical Officer, with at least one year of working experience in the last five years [1]. Fluent English proficiency is mandatory [1]. Profiles of qualifying applicants will be shared with potential employers in Canada, followed by a competitive recruitment process [1].
Communication Channels and Information Access
Labour mobility projects are announced through multiple channels including WhatsApp, FilmAid, and local radio broadcasts [1]. The main partners facilitating these opportunities are RefugePoint (EMPP programs) and WUSC HIRES [1]. Information on family reunification pathways is available through the Ministry of Interior’s website or organisations like the Red Cross and ICRC, with UNHCR Sub-Office Kakuma providing documentation assistance within Kenya [1]. These communication systems ensure refugees receive timely updates about available opportunities across different complementary pathway programmes.
Recent High-Level Support for Kenya’s Approach
The expanded pathways come amid high-level recognition of Kenya’s refugee policies. Barham Salih, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, visited Kakuma municipality and Nairobi during his first official visit, praising Kenya’s refugee protection policies that provide access to work, education, healthcare, and economic participation for refugees [2]. Kenya’s Shirika Plan aims to transition refugees from humanitarian aid to self-reliance, providing legal identity, work permits, mobile money services, public education, and universal healthcare [2]. However, UNHCR’s budget for Kenya was underfunded in 2025, leading to cuts in essential services [2]. Salih emphasized that ‘refugees should not be trapped in aid dependency — solutions must be prioritized’ and warned that ‘the funding crisis is threatening lives and risks reversing hard-won progress’ [2].