AFP reports state that St. Anne is one of four refugee camps located around Mombasa (4 Feb. 1997; 14 Dec. 1995). A UNHCR Information Bulletin indicates that St. Anne's camp housed 9,065 Barawas (Bravans, Bravanese) and other Somali clans in June (June 1993, 4).

In February 1997 AFP further reported that one of the camps, Swaleh Nguru camp in Mombasa had burnt down (4 Feb. 1997). A later report stated that because of recurrent clashes between the Somalis and Kenyan villagers, and following the torching of one of the camps, the government of Kenya had asked the UNHCR to close three camps near Mombasa (8 Mar. 1997).

In June 1996, the United States, at the request of the UNHCR had agreed to consider about 4,500 Brawan refugees housed at St. Anne's and Hatimi camps, for resettlement. (Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Catholic Conference, 1997, 2). Migration and Refugee Services states the first batch of Brawans were expected to travel to the USA in March 1997, as many as 4,000 were expected to arrive by the end of 1997 (ibid., AFP 4 Feb.1997).

A 28 March 1998 Xinhua report states that ten refugee camps across Kenya have been closed since 1992 and the last remaining camp at Jomvu in the coast province was scheduled to close in April 1998, "following the repatriation of its 1, 400 refugees to Somalia's Bajuni islands."

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 8 March 1997. "UNHCR Relocates Somali Refugees in Kenya." (NEXIS)

_____. 4 February 1997. "Some 4,500 Somali Refugees to Resettle in the United States." (NEXIS)

_____. 14 December 1995. "UNHCR Closes Second Somali Refugee Camp in Kenya." (NEXIS)

Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Catholic Conference. 1997. "Barawan Refugees from Somalia."

UNHCR [Nairobi]. Information Bulletin. June 1993. "Refugees in Kenya."

Xinhua. 28 March 1998. "Kenya: UNHCR Flies Somali Refugees Home." (NEXIS).

US Committee for Refugees (USCR). World Refugee Survey 1992-1997. 1993-1998. Washington, DC: USC.

One oral source consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.