EU launches a €12 million Reinteg programme for IDPs in Mogadishu

Somali president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo talking to IDP woman during his visit to one of Mogadishu IDP camps early this month

By: Ahmed Mohamed

European Union has launched a €12 million ($13.4 million) project to protect and support the reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benadir region

The EU body is in partnership with the United Nations and the Benadir Regional Administration during the implementation of the project dubbed “RE-INTEG,”

According to state from United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, the projects also aims to improve the living conditions of IDPs and returnees through the establishment of governance systems that will regulate their rights to housing, land and property, as well as social and political inclusion.

The statement further noted that the Project implementation will be led by the Benadir Regional Administration along with (UNHCR), UN-Habitat, (UNDP), and non-governmental organisations such as SWDC, SIDO and CESVI.

Mr Peter de Clercq, theUN Humanitarian Coordinator said the project would not only support the IDPs with basic needs, but also help boost incomes and livelihoods.

“It looks at the whole range of issues that will help IDPs fully integrate into society, and become normal residents of Somalia’s big cities,” Mr de Clercq stated.

The Federal Minister of Planning, Mr Gamal Mohamed Hassan, appealed to international partners to align their programmes with the country’s National Development Plan.

“We have IDPs everywhere in the city. Next to ministries and inside ministries and other government facilities,” he explained. “So, these are real issues we need to deal with and your support is very critical.”

RE-INTEG is funded by the European Union’s Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and will be implemented over a three-year period in Benadir region, which encompasses Mogadishu.

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