UNHCR backs regional summit to focus on lasting solutions for Somali refugees this year

UNHCR is backing a regional summit which will be led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in Eastern Africa in March 2017, aimed to identify lasting solutions for Somali refugees.

“Nobody wants to be a refugee for ever,” said Affey. “A regional solution is the most viable solution for the Somali situation.” said Mohamed Abdi Affey, UNHCR’s Special Envoy on the Somali refugee situation.

The summit also focus regional response  that will include providing continued protection to 262,000 Somali refugees in Dadaab refugee camp complex in north-east Kenya which has been hosting people fleeing violence in neighbouring Somalia for more than two decades.

Following the Government of Kenya’s decision in 2016 to close Dadaab Camp, UNHCR presented a plan of action at the meeting of the Tripartite Commission – comprising Kenya, Somalia and UNHCR – and an agreement was reached with the Kenyan government to delay the closure.

Affey appealed to the international community to redouble efforts to bring stability to the country which has seen nearly two-and-a-half decades of armed conflict.

“There has been some real progress in Somalia over the past few months, including the successful organization of elections inside the country. What’s needed now is to build up infrastructures across the country so refugees do not suffer when they go back,” said Affey, who previously served as the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister in Kenya.