UNHCR inks agreement with Italy in support of returning refugees in Somalia

The Ambassador of Italy to the Federal Republic of Somalia, Fabrizio Marcelli, and the UNHCR Somalia Acting Representative, Ms. Bushra Halepota, signed an agreement to provide financial assistance to UNHCR in Somalia.

The event took place at the presence of the Somali National Commissioner for Refugees and IDPs, Mr. Ahmed Nur, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to Kenya, Jamal Mohamed Hassan and the Special Envoy of Federal Republic of Somalia on Children’s and Migrants Rights, Ms. Mariam Yassin Hagi Yussuf.

The agreement refers to a grant of 1 Million Euro aiming to support the UNHCR project “From Emergency Response to Durable Solutions: Providing Assistance to Arrivals from Yemen and Supporting the Return and Reintegration of Somali Refugees”.

This project combines assistance to new arrivals fleeing the conflict in Yemen who reach the northern shores of Somalia and enhances the pursuit of durable solutions and sustainable reintegration for refugee returnees in their areas of origin in south and central regions of Somalia.

This initiative is part of a wider contribution of Italy to UNHCR in the refugees and IDP sector started in the past years for a total amount of 4.7 million Euro for activities carried out all over Somalia.