Many African states do not take a human-rights approach toward refugee management within their borders and often maintain an encampment system for refugees. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recorded a total of 68.5 million forcibly displaced people worldwide in 2017, the highest number in decades. This figure …

BURGABO (SOHA) – Thousands of people in Burgabo town in Somalia’s Lower Jubba region are facing extreme water shortage due to prevailing drought and poor rains. The coastal town, which lies 7o km south of Kismayo, has received little rain during the last Deyr season, leaving dams that serve the …

JOWHAR (SOHA) – Over 4,500 families displaced by ongoing fighting between Al-Shabaab and local militias in southern Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region are facing food and water shortages in Adalle district. Regional officials say that the families have been arriving in villages on the outskirts of Adalle town for the last …

GURIEL (SOHA) – Somali pastoralists in drought-hit central Somalia are resorting to leaves and tree bark as fodder to keep their animals alive, as the skies still show no sign of rain. Seventy-year-old Elmi Ali Dahir, who lives in a remote area some 30km southeast of Guriel town in Galgadud …

MOGADISHU (SOHA) – The United Nations will next week launch a peace building fund (PBF) worth 30 million U.S. dollars to help support the country’s peace building efforts. The UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) said on Thursday a joint launch of the new PBF portfolio will be held to …

BURAO (SOHA) –  Close to 150 drought-displaced families in Burao town in northern Somalia’s Togdheer region are facing hunger and lack access to basic services. Local officials said the pastoralist families uprooted from their homes are now camping in Dudub-dilo village, 180km east of Burao town. Mohamed Ahmed Hassan, Dudub-dilo …

HARGEISA (SOHA) – A government driven blood donation campaign in Somaliland has generated 60,000 units of blood to jumpstart the first ever national blood bank in the capital, Hargeisa. The one-month long campaign targeting major towns in Somaliland aims to equip the national blood bank with sufficient blood to meet …

LAS ANOD (SOHA) – A clean-up campaign by youth in Hingalol village in northern Somalia’s Sanaag region is fast transforming the once dirty streets and inspiring locals to keep their environment clean. The clean-up launched last month is attracting many volunteers intent on taking responsibility for their environment. Ahmed Bile …

ADDIS ABABA (SOHA) – In his address at the 32nd Session of the Assembly of Heads of States and Governments of the African Union, the President of Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo raised the timely need for progressive refugee laws and policies across the continent. “Even as we …

MOGADISHU (SOHA) – Somali farmers and exporters have started selling local agricultural produce to a new market in Turkey, with the first exports of lemons and sesame recently shipped from Mogadishu. Bashiir Abdirabbi Hassan heads a Somali company that has started exporting lemons. He says the new trade route with …