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In the desert of northern Kenya, close to the Somali border, where only thorn bushes grow, is a city of half a million people. Why are they there, and how can they leave?

Ben Rawlence tells the stories of just a few of the forgotten thousands who make up the half a million stateless citizens of Dadaab - the world's largest refugee camp, in the desert of northern Kenya, close to the Somali border, where only thorn bushes grow.

The author, a Swahili speaker, and former researcher for Human Rights Watch in the horn of Africa made several long visits to the camps over the course of four years. His account bears vivid witness to the lives of those who live in fear, poverty and limbo.

In the first episode, we meet seventeen year old Guled, as he struggles to survive on the outskirts of Mogadishu. He still tries to attend school as well as to earn a living, but the al-Shabaab militias are closing in.

Read by David Seddon
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company productoin for ±«Óãtv Radio 4.

15 minutes

Last on

Tue 9 Feb 2016 00:30

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Credits

Role Contributor
Reader David Seddon
Author Ben Rawlence
Abridger Jill Waters
Producer Jill Waters

Broadcasts

  • Mon 8 Feb 2016 09:45
  • Tue 9 Feb 2016 00:30

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