United Nations Urges Kenya Not to Close Refugee Camp After Garissa Massacre

The United Nations has asked Kenya's government to reconsider closing a large Somali refugee camp in the wake of the recent Garissa State University massacre that left 148 people dead.

In the wake of the April 2 attack on Garissa State University by the Somalia-based al Shabaab terrorist group, Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto announced that the Somali refugee camp of Dadaab, located 50 miles from the border with Somalia, needs to close within the next three months.

The camp reportedly holds over 900,000 Somalian refugees.

Ruto indicated in a statement that closing the camp is one of many anti-terrorism steps that Kenya will take following the Garissa attack that left mostly young college students dead.

"The way America changed after 9/11 is the way Kenya will change after Garissa," Ruto said in a statement.

The United Nations Refugee Agency has responded to the government's decision by warning Kenya that closing Dadaab would result in a massive humanitarian crisis.

UNHCR spokeswoman Karin de Gruijl told BBC News that closing the refugee camp "would have extreme humanitarian and practical consequences."

Gruijl added that the United Nations is offering to provide aid to Kenya's authorities to monitor al-Shabaab activity within the camp.

The UNHCR spokeswoman was clear in saying that it continues to mourn the recent Garissa attack, but it still does not want to see the refugee camp close.

"UNHCR too has been shocked and appalled by the Garissa attack. High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres and his staff stand in solidarity with the people of Kenya. We reiterate our condolences to the families of all the victims," Gruijl said in a statement.