Mogadishu (RBC) The trend of increased returns, mainly from Kenya to Somalia, which saw an uptick in January, continued in February, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. In the first nine weeks of the year, about 12,000 people reportedly crossed the border into Somalia.
The numbers, however, do not indicate intentions and many refugees cross back and forth, sometimes to check on property or find seasonal work.
Nearly 10,500 of the 12,000 arrived from Kenya and Ethiopia, while the rest returned from Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The movements from Kenya, from where the vast majority of people crossed into Somalia, increased more than eight-fold between November-December and January-February, according to UNHCR. Movements from Kenya were recorded mostly in Dobley (5,241), Diff (1,808) and Ceel Waaq (925). People also arrived in major towns within the border region without stopping at the border posts.
Large numbers of arrivals were also recorded in Baardheere (1,142) and Kismayo (721).According to UNHCR, some of those arriving indicated they did not have authorization to stay in Kenya. People further stated that the Kenyan Governments’ decree to relocate refugees to Dadaab camp led to their return to Somalia. Other reasons included fear of election violence as well as insecurity, robbery, rape, harassment and other acts in the camps.
Some movements into Kenya were recorded, but these continued to decrease, with 57 people tracked compared to 213 in November-December. Insecurity in the district was cited as the reason for their movement, according to UNHCR.
Movements from Ethiopia decreased from 917 in November-December to 623 in January-February. People arrived in Doolow before moving further to their places of origin located mostly in Bay and Bakool regions. These people stated they travelled to visit relatives left behind in Somalia and some reportedly intend to cross back to the Dollo Ado refugee camps shortly, according to UNHCR.
Arrivals to the border post (Doolow) with intention of crossing into Ethiopia show a decreasing trend. Statistics show 56 people arrived in Gedo region’s border points of Doolow and Belet Xawoo. These people indicated insecurity caused by Al Shabaab in Burdhuubo in Somalia as the main reason for movement.
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