Leaders and human rights groups in Garissa are demanding justice after a pregnant refugee woman, Hadija Ali, died during a stampede at Ifo 2 camp in Dadaab while waiting for food distribution. The 28-year-old, who was nine months pregnant, lost consciousness after being pushed and later died at the Ifo 2 Red Cross Hospital despite being placed on oxygen.
Garissa Woman Representative Udgoon Siyad condemned the incident, saying it was unacceptable that a pregnant woman could lose her life while seeking aid. Witnesses said the refugees had been waiting for hours in extreme heat, contributing to the chaotic scene when the crowd surged. Efforts by security personnel to control the situation were unsuccessful.
The food distribution was being carried out by UNHCR, WFP, and the Department of Refugee Services. Siyad and other local leaders called for an urgent and thorough investigation into what went wrong. Muhuri Garissa’s Abdihakim Shurie urged the arrest of anyone found responsible for negligence, while civil society members criticized the silence from authorities.
Human rights activist Fatuma Bathi vowed to pursue justice for Hadija, calling the incident deeply saddening. The National Gender and Equality Commission’s Northeastern regional head Abdiwahab Ibrahim also urged UNHCR and the DRA to conduct comprehensive investigations and issue a formal report.
