UPSC Prelims 2022 Q82: Current Affairs – Disasters & Humanitarian Issues
Consider the following statements:
1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north - western Kenya.
2. Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
3. Some people who fled from civil war in Somalia live in Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (c) 2 and 3
Explanation
Two large East African refugee settlements
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Bidibidi is in north-western Kenya | Incorrect | Bidibidi is in north-western Uganda (Yumbe district) |
| 2. People fleeing South Sudan's civil war live in Bidibidi | Correct | It was opened in 2016 for South Sudanese refugees and became one of the world's largest settlements |
| 3. People fleeing Somalia's civil war live in Dadaab, Kenya | Correct | Dadaab in north-eastern Kenya has hosted Somali refugees since 1991 |
Quick comparison:
| Settlement | Country | Main refugees |
|---|---|---|
| Bidibidi | Uganda | South Sudanese |
| Dadaab | Kenya | Somalis |
| Kakuma | Kenya (north-west) | South Sudanese and others |
Answer: (c) 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong; Bidibidi is in Uganda, not Kenya.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 3 is also true; Dadaab shelters Somali refugees.
- (c) CORRECT. Bidibidi hosts South Sudanese refugees and Dadaab hosts Somalis.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also true; Bidibidi was set up for South Sudanese refugees.
Key point
Bidibidi = north-western Uganda (South Sudanese refugees); Dadaab = north-eastern Kenya (Somali refugees); Kakuma = north-western Kenya.
Remember
Bidibidi = Uganda (South Sudan); Dadaab = Kenya (Somalia).
Common mistakes
- Placing Bidibidi in Kenya, confusing it with Kakuma in north-western Kenya.
- Not linking Dadaab to the Somali civil war that began in 1991.
- Assuming all big East African camps are in Kenya.
Exam tip
For refugee camps, learn three things: host country, source country, the conflict.
Sources
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees — Uganda Refugee Response: Bidibidi Settlement
- UNHCR — Kenya: Dadaab refugee complex