Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs The Voice of Reality.. The Eye of Humanitarian Truth in Somalia
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MOGADISHU — The Somali government announced today the successful repatriation of 275 Somali citizens after rescuing them from human trafficking networks and perilous migration routes in Libya, as part of state efforts to protect its citizens and ensure their dignified return.
This humanitarian milestone resulted from close cooperation between the National Commission for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRI) and the Office of the Special Envoy of the President for Migration and Children’s Rights, which coordinated all logistical efforts to ensure the returnees’ safe arrival in Mogadishu.
The repatriated group included men, women, and children who endured harsh humanitarian conditions after falling prey to international smuggling gangs that exploit migrants, exposing them to grave dangers in environments lacking the most basic safety requirements.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) plays an active and pivotal role in this matter by coordinating voluntary return flights and providing necessary logistical support, in partnership with the European Union, to ensure the orderly transition of irregular migrants from detention centers to their home countries according to international standards.
Officials revealed that these citizens were subjected to flagrant human rights violations during their time in Libya, including forced detention and mistreatment, alongside a decline in their health due to the lack of adequate medical care and food in those regions.
Upon arrival at Mogadishu International Airport, the returnees were transferred to the NCRI reception center for comprehensive medical screenings, food assistance, and temporary shelter, as part of an urgent response plan to mitigate the impact of their suffering.
The care provided included intensive psychosocial support sessions to help returnees overcome the trauma associated with the smuggling journey, in addition to awareness programs highlighting the dangers of irregular migration and legal alternatives for travel and employment.
Relevant authorities have also commenced procedures to reunite the returnees with their families across various Somali regions, providing facilities to help them reintegrate into their local communities and start new lives away from the hazards of illegal migration.
Somali authorities reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration with international partners to prosecute human trafficking networks and address the root causes driving youth to risk their lives, emphasizing that the protection of Somali citizens remains a top national priority.
This operation highlights the essential role played by the International Organization for Migration in resolving the crisis of migrants stranded in conflict zones. International support has become a vital lifeline reconnecting victims with their homelands, amidst Somalia’s persistent efforts to consolidate its security and social stability and recover its human capital from the paths of the unknown.
