GENEVA — Surging floodwaters in the southern regions of Somalia have driven more than 650,000 people to flee their homes this year. The U.N. refugee agency reports the flooding has caused food shortages, led to the outbreak of killer diseases, and increased the risk of the coronavirus spreading in the …
Read More »133 Somali nationals evacuated to Somalia
ENTEBBE — At least 133 Somali nationals have been repatriated to Somalia after being stranded in Uganda for close to three months when flights were suspended after the breakout of coronavirus pandemic. The group is part of the 400 Somalia nationals who have so far been evacuated by their government …
Read More »Somalia’s COVID-19 response: IDPs especially at risk
KISMAYO — Aisha Maalim returned to Kismayo in southern Somalia in March 2019, after having spent many years living in the Dadaab refugee camps located over the border in Kenya. Like many, she hoped to return to a better life as Somalia rebuilds after decades of conflict and instability. The …
Read More »UN calls for continued efforts to help refugees and displaced people in Somalia
MOGADISHU — Marking World Refugee Day, the United Nations in Somalia today called for continued efforts to alleviate the plight of refugees and displaced persons in Somalia. Despite significant efforts by the Somali authorities, there are still at least 2.6 million Somalis who are internally displaced, and the country hosts …
Read More »COVID-19 escalating plight of refugees in Somalia: UN
MOGADISHU — The additional threat of COVID-19 in Somalia besides an already fragile situation has worsened the situation of refugees and internally displaced persons, the UN has warned. Calling for concerted efforts to stem the tide, the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) Saturday said the COVID-19 pandemic could further …
Read More »ICRC fears coronavirus spreading silently in Somalia’s displaced camps
NAIROBI/GAROWE — The new coronavirus could be spreading undetected through camps across Somalia hosting some 2.6 million displaced people, the Red Cross warned on Tuesday, as floods and conflict swelled the numbers fleeing into overcrowded settlements. Almost 500,000 people have been forced from their homes by recent floods in central …
Read More »AMISOM supports IDPs with personal protective equipment against coronavirus
MOGADISHU — As part of efforts to support communities in its Areas of Responsibility, AoR, in the fight against COVID-19, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), on Friday presented a range of personal protection and hygiene supplies to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable civilians in the Banadir region. …
Read More »Somalia evacuates 128 citizens from India amid COVID-19 fears
MOGADISHU — The Somali government has repatriated citizens who were stranded in India on Sunday. Permanent Secretary of the affairs and International Cooperation ambassador Mohamed Ali Noor Haji welcomed the citizens at Aden Abdulle International Airport. Most of the civilians who were evacuated were people who went to India for …
Read More »Somalia pledges better welfare for internally displaced persons
MOGADISHU — Minister of labour and social affairs of the federal republic of Somalia Sadiq Hirsi Warfaa and the Commissioner for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons have pledged the work towards the creation of job opportunities. The two spoke during a meeting the minister’s office in which they promised to …
Read More »Coronavirus reaches Dadaab camp, raising ‘serious concerns’ for refugees’ health
DADAAB CAMP — Two residents of the Dadaab complex have tested positive for Covid-19, the United Nations refugee agency has announced. These first confirmations of the presence of the Coronavirus are raising fears that it could spread in the camps and surrounding communities. “The crowded conditions in the Dadaab refugee …
Read More »
Somali Observatory for Humanitarian Affairs The Voice of Reality.. The Eye of Humanitarian Truth in Somalia