A fire that broke out at Ifo Refugee Camp in Dadaab Sub-County, Garissa County, has destroyed several houses and businesses, leaving residents counting losses after they were unable to contain the inferno due to lack of firefighting equipment.
The fire reportedly started in the market before spreading to nearby residential buildings, destroying property and leaving some families without homes and sources of livelihood.
Residents said three refugee camps and several municipalities in Garissa County lack adequate firefighting equipment and vehicles, making it difficult to respond to emergencies.
They said access to water was also limited, with available supplies largely reserved for domestic consumption.
“It is sad and unfortunate to watch your property, businesses and houses burn beyond recognition because there is no equipment to fight the fire,” a resident said.
Residents called on the Garissa County Government to provide firefighting equipment and vehicles to all the county’s 15 sub-counties and municipalities to improve emergency response.
They said the lack of firefighting equipment exposed communities to huge losses whenever fires broke out.
Attempts to obtain a comment from Garissa County Executive Committee Member for Planning and Housing Mohamed Abdi were unsuccessful as his phone went unanswered throughout the day.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Dadaab Sub-Office also did not immediately comment on the fire, which reportedly left thousands of residents affected.
The cause of the fire is yet to be established.
By Mohamed Dahir
