Hundreds of thousands of refugees are overwhelming camps in Dadaab, north-eastern Kenya, where they are seeking a haven from drought and conflict in neighbouring Somalia.
Dagahaley, Ifo and Hagadera camps in Dadaab were planned for 90,000 people and are now home to about 370,000. Taken together, the camps comprise the largest refugee settlement in the world, and their resources are stretched beyond the limit.
According to the UN refugee agency, Dadaab received an average of 6,000 to 8,000 Somali refugees every month during 2010. This year, the average has increased to 10,000 per month, and the numbers have been rising sharply in recent weeks.
A treacherous journey
The refugees arrive mainly on foot, exhausted and dehydrated from a journey that can take up to two months.
When they get to Kenya, the refugees tell horrific stories of deprivation and danger.
Some of them lost family members along the way due to hunger and thirst. There are also unconfirmed reports of armed militia members attempting to prevent people from leaving Somalia.
Read the full blog post from Chris Niles here
