{"id":8108,"date":"2021-10-11T12:26:18","date_gmt":"2021-10-11T11:26:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cov19chronicles.com\/?p=8108"},"modified":"2023-04-26T16:22:15","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T15:22:15","slug":"another-brutal-attack-in-kakuma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cov19chronicles.com\/another-brutal-attack-in-kakuma\/","title":{"rendered":"Another Brutal Attack: Kakuma Camp, October 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
CONTENT WARNING: Images and descriptions of violence <\/p>\n\n\n\n
UNHCR\u2019s website on LGBTQIA+ persons prominently features a video<\/a> of carefully curated images of LGBTQIA+ refugees\u2019 lives accompanied by surging string music. The video depicts a heart-warming journey from oppression and hopelessness to freedom in a place of safety replete with Pride parades and rainbow flags in clean, corporate, glass buildings. The video culminates with the statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “UNHCR works to protect LGBT+ refugees by providing safe spaces and support and helping them re-build their lives. Everyone has a right to feel safe and protected. Let LGBT+ refugees know\u2026you are safe here.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s easy to snipe at fund-raising videos but the contrast between the image UNHCR chooses to project and the reality on the ground has become too heartbreakingly striking to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LGBTQIA+ refugees at Block 13 of Kakuma refugee camp have been chronicling their struggle with homophobic and transphobic violence and hatred on Covid Chronicles and on their Facebook pages for some time. They have described how their lives have been reduced to constant watchfulness and fearfulness in the face of incessant violent attacks<\/a>, of how they sleep outside for fear of firebomb attacks, one of which killed<\/a> Trinidad Jerry, a Block 13 resident in March. Equally disturbing, they have shared how the camp authorities, the office for Refugee Affairs Secretariat-RAS and UNHCR are offering little or no support, protection, or access to justice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lucretia (also called Ssenyonjo John) is a trans woman who has worked tirelessly to share the experiences of her Block 13 comrades and raise awareness of their struggle. Lucretia has told the stories of many comrades who have been victims of violence and now, sadly, she has her own story to tell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Monday 26th<\/sup> July, Lucretia was badly injured in a violent transphobic attack. Still in pain and shock from her attack Lucretia told her story to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n