Siegels shine a light on refugee plight in Kenya

Israel’s leading non-governmental humanitarian aid agency welcomed former hostages Aviva and Keith Siegel to Kakuma Refugee Camp and surrounding communities in Turkana County, Kenya, last week on a learning and fact-finding visit, as part of the Siegels’ new focus on international humanitarian work. 

Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement house more than 300 000 refugees from countries across the region, including South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and more, living alongside a more than 100 000-strong traditionally pastoral Turkana host community. 

“During and after my captivity, I was astonished to see how many people advocated for my freedom and cared about my fate,” said Keith. “That’s what has given me hope. Now, I want to use my voice and my platform to amplify the voices of people living through devastating humanitarian situations, like here in Kakuma, where hundreds of thousands survive on one meal a day, with limited access to safe water, and few options for a better life. 

“Visiting Kakuma, I have been struck, not just by the scale of the ongoing crisis, but by the dedication of the humanitarians we have met and the real difference that IsraAID’s team here is making, from installing large-scale water systems to screening thousands for malnutrition, to providing hundreds of young people with safe spaces every week to learn new skills and process their experiences,” he said. “Suffering doesn’t distinguish between people, and neither does hope. Together, we can shine a light on humanitarian crises and inspire people around the world to take action.” 

The area faces extreme humanitarian challenges, with limited access to safe water, food, and essential services. IsraAID has worked in Kakuma Refugee Camp and with surrounding communities since 2014. 

As of February 2026, IsraAID is working in 12 countries worldwide, responding to urgent and neglected crises with safe water; sanitation and hygiene; mental health and psychological support; education; public health; livelihoods and skills training; and more. 

During their visit to Kenya from 26 to 31 January, the Siegels visited safe spaces for at-risk adolescents and young adults; community water points; schools; and health and nutrition outreach sites, and met members of IsraAID Kenya’s team, largely drawn from Kakuma’s refugee and host communities. 

IsraAID Chief Executive Yotam Polizer said, “We are honoured that Aviva and Keith Siegel have chosen to join our team in one of the world’s oldest and largest refugee camps and to advocate for global humanitarian causes. The dedication that Aviva and Keith have shown to amplifying the voices of people living through one of the world’s most pressing – yet most neglected – crises is truly inspiring to us all. We hope this visit is just the first step in a new global initiative to bring urgent relief and sustainable change to communities living through crises and emergency in Kakuma and around the world.”