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
-
Financial Rules for Voluntary Funds Administered by the High Commissioner for Refugees (A/AC.96/503/Rev.12)
16 Feb 2023 -
Venezuelan medical professionals step in to fill healthcare gaps in Peru
15 Feb 2023 -
UN and partners appeal for US$5.6 billion to help millions affected by Ukraine war
15 Feb 2023 Joint OCHA-UNHCR press release -
Venezuelan medical professionals step in to fill healthcare gaps in Peru
15 Feb 2023 Among the 1.5 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Peru are doctors and nurses who want nothing more than the chance to serve. -
Municipalities Toolkit Flyer - Icelandic
14 Feb 2023 -
Culture, context and mental health and psychosocial well-being of refugees and internally displaced persons from South Sudan
14 Feb 2023 This document intends to provide a starting point for all involved in humanitarian assistance in fields such as MHPSS, public health, protection, education, community development and peacebuilding, providing them with background information to help them better engage with South Sudanese populations, whether those displaced within South Sudan or those who have become refugees. -
Türkiye-Syria earthquake
During this rapidly evolving humanitarian crisis, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is providing humanitarian assistance to refugees and people forced to flee their homes. -
Municipalities Toolkit Handbook - Icelandic
13 Feb 2023 -
Vital aid reaches Syrian quake survivors who - again - have lost everything
10 Feb 2023 UNHCR delivers assistance to families left homeless by the disaster, while reopening of aid route to northwest Syria offers hope to those already displaced during country's 12-year crisis.