How Foreign Aid Cuts Threaten Refugee-Led Initiatives: A Call for Sustainable Solutions
Our CEO, Hubert Senga, recently spoke with PBS News about a growing crisis that could reshape the future of refugee-led initiatives like Generation Aid in Kakuma. The recent U.S. foreign aid cuts are not just policy changes—they have real and devastating consequences for the thousands of refugees who rely on education, digital skills training, and entrepreneurship programs to achieve self-reliance.
Why This Matters
Kakuma refugee camp is home to over 250,000 displaced people, many of whom have lived here for decades with little to no access to formal employment. Foreign aid has historically been a lifeline, funding programs that provide basic necessities, education, and vocational training. However, with shrinking budgets, refugee-led organizations like Generation Aid are struggling to keep essential programs alive.
The Ripple Effect of Foreign Aid Cuts
Foreign aid reductions don’t just affect budgets—they threaten the futures of thousands of refugees. Here’s how:
🔹 Education & Digital Literacy at Risk – Programs that teach young refugees digital skills, coding, and remote work opportunities may no longer be sustainable, cutting off their only pathway to employment and self-sufficiency.
🔹 Loss of Entrepreneurship Support – Many refugee-led initiatives rely on grants and funding to empower refugees to start small businesses. Without financial support, job creation in the camp will stagnate.
🔹 Increased Dependence on Humanitarian Aid – The goal of programs like Generation Aid is to reduce reliance on aid by creating sustainable opportunities. Cutting funding for education and entrepreneurship forces refugees to remain dependent on dwindling humanitarian resources.
Refugees Need More Than Aid—We Need Opportunities
The global conversation around refugees often focuses on short-term relief rather than long-term solutions. But refugees are not just passive recipients of aid—we are innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Given the right tools, we can contribute to the economy, uplift our communities, and become self-reliant.
Instead of just providing food rations and emergency relief, investing in refugee-led solutions like Generation Aid ensures that displaced communities can build sustainable futures.
How You Can Help
The fight for sustainable refugee solutions requires collective action. Here’s how you can support:
- Raise Awareness – Share our story, our work, and the challenges we face so that more people understand why refugee empowerment matters.
- Partner With Us – We welcome collaborations with NGOs, businesses, and institutions willing to support refugee education, digital training, and entrepreneurship programs.
- Advocate for Policy Change – Governments and global agencies must prioritize long-term investment in refugee-led solutions, not just short-term aid. Your voice can help shape these policies.
- Support Generation Aid – Whether through funding, mentorship, or providing digital resources, your support can help us continue empowering refugees.
WATCH: How foreign aid cuts could affect programs in this Kenya refugee camp
📺 Watch Hubert Senga’s PBS News interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIK-iBooRfo&t=8s
💡 Join the conversation, take action, and be part of a movement that believes in sustainable solutions for displaced communities.
