Saadia Idris

Saadia Idris (born c. 1996) is a South Sudanese refugee and community mobilizer based in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. At 17, she fled conflict in her home country and has since devoted herself to supporting women and girls in her refugee community.

Biography Saadia Idris was forced to flee South Sudan at age 17 when war devastated her country and she was separated from her family. She resettled in Kenya's Kakuma Refugee Camp, where she emerged as a community mobilizer and mentor, working to empower displaced women and children. In addition, she provides mentorship to young refugee girls, connecting them with peers who have had similar experiences to foster safe and supportive networks. Her work nurtures resilience and self-confidence among vulnerable youth.

Context: Kakuma Refugee Camp Kakuma Refugee Camp, located in northwestern Kenya, is home to refugees from South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other nations. The camp hosts hundreds of thousands of displaced persons and serves as a multi-faceted hub for humanitarian efforts, while also producing local community leaders like Saadia Idris.