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UNHCR relocates over 1,200 Somali refugees from Kenya

Xinhua, February 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

The UN refugee agency said Wednesday 1,274 Somali refugees living in northern Kenya have voluntarily returned home since a pilot repatriation project was launched on Dec. 8, 2014.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in its biweekly update that more than 80 percent of the returnees are refugees who arrived in Kenya after 2010.

"All returnees have reached their final destination in safety and dignity. There are no reports of security incidents affecting the returnees or return to a situation of internal displacement," said the UN agency.

According to UNHCR, the refugees who have been living at the Dadaab complex, the world's largest refugee settlement in northern Kenya, use prearranged bus transport.

So far, the agency said 11 convoys have departed since launch of the project, with Kenyan police providing security to ensure a safe and secure journey.

"All of them (refugees) have returned either to Baidoa or Kismayo. Most returning refugees are in family groups with children," it said.

According to UNHCR, before their departure, the refugees underwent counseling by UNHCR and partners on conditions in Somalia, especially with regard to security.

A tripartite agreement signed by the Kenya, Somalia governments and UNHCR in November 2013 guides dialogue on the voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees living in Kenya.

UNHCR has formed the Return Consortium, consisting of UN agencies and international NGOs in Somalia, to promote a standardized approach to assist returnees and seeks synergy to facilitate voluntary return, with the aim of safe and sustainable reintegration of returnees in Somalia.

According to UN agency, the returnees received a return support package comprising of an unconditional cash grant, essential travel and hygiene kits for use during the journey home, tools, food and other basic needs assistance to support the sustainability of return and reintegration in Somalia.

The pilot project targets an initial group of up to 10,000 Somali refugees in Kenya who wish to return to Somalia, starting with the immediate support to around 400 people in December.

The pilot project will only include Somali refugees in Kenya, from these areas, who freely and voluntarily decide to return home after undergoing counseling by UNHCR and its partners on the prevailing conditions in Somalia. Endi