MOGADISHU (SOHA) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has helped 14 Somali migrants to voluntarily return home from Tanzania and Uganda following months of confinement in detention centers. Hassan Ali Khaire, Prime Minister of Somalia confirmed the arrival of the Somalis in the capital, Mogadishu. “We are happy to …

BURAO (SOHA) – Over 40 cases of whooping cough (also known as pertussis) have been reported in Odanle village, 180 km south of Burao, Togdher region, in November. Suleiman Hassan Abdi, an official from Somaliland’s health ministry, confirmed the outbreak of the respiratory infection. “Families including adult and children have …

Perennial clan clashes in Somalia have taken an enormous toll on the whole of Somali society, claiming an unknown number of lives and robbing families of livelihoods.  Women and children have borne the brunt of the violent conflict with the loss of their husbands, fathers, and breadwinners. In one area …

GENEVA (SOHA) – Asylum seekers at the Mexican border fleeing violence or persecution are entitled to lodge claims in the United States to obtain sanctuary there, U.N. agencies said in a fresh attempt to shield migrants from tough U.S. immigration policies. United Nations officials have repeatedly urged Washington to ensure …

BURTINLE (SOHA) – After many years of relying on scarce rainwater, residents of Burtinle town in northern Somalia’s Nugal region are happy to have access to clean piped water. Water from three wells drilled at a cost of $2million started reaching 7,000 households in Burtinle in October. Burtinle has suffered …

BERBERA (SOHA) – When the brand new school built in Magalo-ad village, six km from the Somaliland port of Berbera, finally opened its doors in September, there were just 36 children occupying the eight-classroom building. Built by the international charity SOS Children’s Villages and run by the Somaliland government, the school …

BOSSASO (SOHA) – Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region on Friday unveiled a $40 million project for a rickety port’s reconstruction plan aimed at benefiting communities in the country’s northeastern part amid a new battle for foreign investment projects in the region stirred by UAE’s port investment in the neighboring breakaway territory of …

NAIROBI (SOHA) – The divisive debate over a federal refugee program will likely resurface next year in St. Cloud as two new members elected Nov. 6 join the City Council. Paul Brandmire and Mike Conway will be sworn in Jan. 7 for four-year terms, and both say they will push …

NAIROBI (SOHA) – Kenya has repatriated 300,000 refugees to Somalia under the Safe Voluntary Return programme since December 2014, Deputy President William Ruto has said. The government is partnering with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the programme. The UNHCR, Kenya and Somalia signed a tripartite agreement on …

MOGADISHU (SOHA) – Somali youth are on the frontline of promoting recovery in the strife-torn Horn of African nation after pursuing higher education in foreign countries, including China. Hundreds of Somali youth have undergone university education in China either through scholarships or through self-sponsorship in recent years. These graduates are …