People who have been displaced inside the country have begun to to return their home regions. Photo Abdalle Ahmed. Raxanreeb.com (RBC Radio).
MOGADISHU (RBC) The UN refugee agency, UNHCR said that the population movement tracking in Somalia indicates that in April, about 2,100 refugees left Kenya for Somalia. Some 2,340 people crossed the border in March. In all, about 16,000 people were recorded crossing from Kenya into Somalia in the first four months of 2013.
Those interviewed by UNHCR and partners said they returned due to the improving security situation in Somalia with the majority moving to Dobley, Diff, Baardheere and Kismayo in Lower Juba and Ceel Waaq in Gedo. Those moving also cited insecurity and inadequate humanitarian support in the camps in Kenya as reasons to leave. Others sought to resume seasonal work.
Preliminary figures from a verification exercise conducted by UNHCR in Dadaab refugee camps in northern Kenya showed a 20 per cent drop in the number of people from 470,000 to 390,000. UNHCR said that while this can be explained by a more accurate count, physical evidence of empty plots suggest that refugees have also left the camp.
A number of those not accounted for may have crossed into Somalia. Returns from Ethiopia remained limited.
People who have been displaced inside the country helped to return home
According to UNHCR report, In April, 8,000 people were assisted to return to their home areas. People mainly moved from Gaalkacyo, Mogadishu, and Somaliland to Baidoa in Bay, Afgooye and WanlaWeyne districts in Lower Shabelle and Balad and Jowhar districts in Middle Shabelle.
The initiative was implemented by the Somalia Return Consortium, comprising UN and international NGOs, established in August 2012. The pilot project began in February and
March with a survey among the displaced in Gaalkacyo, Mogadishu and Hargeysa to establish who wanted to return. The consortium’s objective is to provide support to the displaced willing to return, depending on access and resources available. More returns are expected in August/September, ahead of the next rainy season. The return assistance includes transport, access to basic services, and livelihood support. The support, except transport, is provided on arrival in the village of origin. The assisted families are monitored and supported for a minimum of six months in their new locations.
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