The Directorate General for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation approved a one million euro voluntary multilateral emergency contribution to the activities of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and in particular for the project known as “From Emergency Response to Durable Solutions: Providing Assistance to Arrivals from Yemen and Supporting the Return and Reintegration of Somali Refugees”.
Italy’s contribution was announced in the course of a ceremony for the signing of an agreement between the Italian Cooperation Office in Somalia and the UNHCR. The project concerns Somalis returning from refugee camps inside the country and from Dadaab in Kenya, and the area chosen for their re-entry are mainly those of central southern Somalia (Baidoa, Luuq, Kisimayo), given the better probability of gaining access to services and job opportunities.
The project also includes assistance to Somali refugees forced to return from Yemen as a result of the recent deterioration of the humanitarian situation in that country, especially in the areas of the Puntland port of Bosaso. The accord provides for activities aimed at improving conditions in the reception centre located in that port and support for the reception of the Somali refugees.
The Italian Cooperation plans to activate additional initiatives on behalf of Somali refugees within the year.
