Abstract

HALDIMANN, Orianna  and  BIEDERMANN, Lukas. Distribution of face masks in Kakuma refugee camp during a pandemic: Legal obligations and responsibilities. Afr. hum. rights law j. [online]. 2022, vol.22, n.2, pp.451-475. ISSN 1996-2096.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/1996-2096/2022/v22n2a6.

This article argues that the inhabitants of the Kakuma refugee camp are in a special relationship with the state, resulting in an increased duty of care of the latter towards the former. The effect of this increased duty of care ultimately results in a positive obligation to provide face masks to the inhabitants to protect them from COVID-19, based on the right to the best attainable standard of health and the right to life. The article then turns to the question of who is responsible to provide such face masks in the camp. After first analysing the situation on site, the article argues that a shift of responsibility of the host state to the UN Refugee Agency took place.

Keywords : refugee; Kakuma refugee camp; COVID-19; health; life; face masks; UN Refugee Agency; UNHCR.

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