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
-
Summary record A/AC.96/SR/754
24 Mar 2023 -
Starting over, Central Africans returning home after years of displacement, need support to rebuild
23 Mar 2023 -
After conflict, the displaced of Central African Republic dream of going home
23 Mar 2023 Civilians displaced by years of civil war in the Central African Republic (CAR) are beginning to return to their homes, but many still lack the means. -
UNHCR wins award for innovative use of blockchain solutions to provide cash to forcibly displaced in Ukraine
23 Mar 2023 -
High Commissioner's Statement to UN Security Council Arria Formula Meeting
22 Mar 2023 Protection of Civilians: Achieving a better protection of water-related essential services and infrastructure for the civilian population during armed conflicts -
100,000 new Somali refugees arrive in Ethiopia in the past month, UN and partners are calling for urgent funding
22 Mar 2023 Joint Press Release -
High Commissioner's message on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
21 Mar 2023 Statement by Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees -
AU, EU and UN push for urgent action to address the pressing needs of migrants and refugees in Libya
21 Mar 2023 Joint Press Release -
Refugee transitions from education to employment: perspectives from Pakistan and Rwanda
20 Mar 2023 This article provides a first-person account of some key moments in the educational journeys and transitions of the authors, Rozina Zazai & Aimeé Mukankusi, both of whom have refugee status.