Question 64 from UPSC CSE 2022 - Internatio nal Relations

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north-western Kenya.
2. Some people who fled from the South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
3. Some people who fled from the civil war in Somalia live in the Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 2 and 3

Strategy: - Identify the correct location for each refugee settlement.
- Bidibidi is factually in Uganda, not Kenya; this invalidates statement 1, eliminating options containing it.
- Bidibidi hosts South Sudanese refugees, confirming statement 2.
- Dadaab, located in Kenya, is known for its Somali refugee population, confirming statement 3.
- Therefore, only options including statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Key Info: ## Bidibidi Refugee Settlement
- Located in the Yumbe district of northwestern Uganda, not Kenya.
- Opened in 2016, it rapidly became one of the world's largest refugee settlements.
- Primarily accommodates refugees fleeing civil conflict in South Sudan.
- Uganda's refugee policy emphasizes integration, granting land and basic rights to refugees.

## Dadaab Refugee Complex
- Located in northeast Kenya, near the Somali border.
- Established in the early 1990s, it consists of multiple camps (e.g., Ifo, Dagahaley, Hagadera).
- The overwhelming majority of its residents are Somalis displaced by ongoing civil war, conflict, and periodic droughts and famine in Somalia.
- Dadaab has often been a focal point for humanitarian and policy concerns due to recurrent debates about camp closures and security.

## Regional Context
- South Sudan's civil war, which broke out in 2013, drove millions from their homes; Uganda, owing to proximity and open policies, became a primary destination.
- Somalia's civil strife, starting in 1991, led to persistent refugee flows into neighboring Kenya.
- UNHCR and other international agencies play central roles in managing these settlements, providing humanitarian relief and essential services.

Answer

Option A: 1 and 2

Answer

Option B: 2 only

Answer

Option D: 3 only