Return of 2,400 Somali refugees leads to closing of third camp in Ethiopia
The voluntary return of more than 2,400 Somali refugees last week brings to more than 50,000 the number of voluntary repatriations last year and leads to the closing of a third refugee camp in Ethiopia.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Jan. 2 (UNHCR) - The repatriation of thousands of Somali refugees from Ethiopia has continued at a steady pace, reflecting a more stable situation in parts of the east African country and leading to the closing of three of eight refugee camps.
Two convoys last week repatriated 2,412 people from Ethiopia's Daror camp to north-west Somalia, bringing the total number of refugees who returned home in 2001 to 50,216. The latest returnees received a nine-month food ration, plastic sheeting and blankets to help them restart their lives.
The Daror complex, which includes health clinics, schools, water systems and generators, and which once hosted 50,000 refugees, will be handed over by UNHCR to the local community.
Earlier last year, Teferiber and Dawarnaji camps were also closed.
Another estimated 67,000 Somalis who fled following the outbreak of widespread civil war a decade ago remain in five other camps in Ethiopia. More than half are expected to return home by June, but some 30,000 others from southern Somalia cannot be repatriated because the security situation in that part of the country remains unstable.
Related news and stories
Thousands of newly arrived Somali refugees in Ethiopia relocated to new settlement
Samira's Story
Drought brings life-threatening food shortages for refugees in Ethiopia
100,000 new Somali refugees arrive in Ethiopia in the past month, UN and partners are calling for urgent funding
UNHCR teams and partners rush assistance to some 100,000 newly arrived Somali refugees in hard-to-reach area of Ethiopia
As the Horn of Africa drought enters a sixth failed rainy season, UNHCR calls for urgent assistance
-
Refugees count their losses as floods destroy camp in Sudan
22 Nov 2021 -
UNHCR dismayed by deportation of a third Cambodian refugee by Thai Authorities this month
22 Nov 2021 -
Outcome Report - Cities and their contribution to the Global Compact on Refugees (2021)
19 Nov 2021 This report summarizes the outcome of the September 2021 meeting of 210 cities from all over the world on their contributions to achieving the objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees in preparation for the High-Level Officials Meeting to be held on 14-15 December 2021. -
Iranian father and son re-enact their story for Hungarian theatre goers
19 Nov 2021 -
#MohamedSalah is Standing Up for Education
19 Nov 2021 -
Say hello to Professor Salah! Vodafone Foundation-UNHCR Instant Network Schools Ambassador surprises students in Egypt
19 Nov 2021 -
Football star Mo Salah drops in on an Egyptian school
19 Nov 2021 Salah, an Ambassador for Instant Network Schools, pays surprise virtual visit to classroom at a school in his native Egypt. -
UNHCR fixes homes to help Lebanese and refugees weather crisis
18 Nov 2021 As Lebanon suffers a devastating economic collapse, UNHCR is helping struggling Lebanese and Syrian families to live in safety and dignity. -
Summary of Roundtable 1: Virtual launch of the GCR indicator report
18 Nov 2021 This document summarizes the roundtable on the virtual launch of the GCR Indicator report, the first of a series of five preparatory roundtables to be held in the lead-up to the High-Level Officials Meeting.