State of the World from NPR cover image

State of the World from NPR

Refugees in Limbo as U.S. Halts a Resettlement Program.

Apr 18, 2025
In Kenya, Somali refugees remain trapped in the Dadaab camp, facing dire conditions and uncertainty as U.S. resettlement programs are paused. Their stories reveal the personal toll of global policy changes. Meanwhile, at China's oldest trade fair, vendors navigate the economic fallout from U.S. tariffs, worrying about canceled orders and the need for new strategies amidst a changing landscape. The challenges both groups face highlight the interconnectedness of global politics and local livelihoods.
08:51

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Quick takeaways

  • The halt in the U.S. refugee admissions program has plunged Somali refugees in Kenya's Dadaab camp into deep uncertainty and despair.
  • The U.S. tariffs have significantly disrupted international trade at China's Canton Trade Fair, causing economic distress for many vendors and manufacturers.

Deep dives

The Plight of Somali Refugees in Dadaab

The Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, home to over 400,000 Somali refugees, has become a place of prolonged uncertainty due to a halt in the U.S. refugee admissions program. Many refugees, such as Farah Abdi Gade, had completed all necessary procedures for resettlement to the U.S. only to have their plans dashed by recent executive orders. The sense of despair is heightened as these individuals have often waited decades for this opportunity and are now facing dwindling hope for a future. With the current freeze on foreign aid and reduced resources, conditions are dire, intensifying feelings of hopelessness among residents, including rising mental health crises and family separations caused by disrupted resettlement plans.

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