UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi visits women centre in Dadaab. He commends Kenya for hosting refugees. [Photo|reliefweb.int]
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has praised Kenya for sheltering hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees at the Dadaab refugee camp.
Mr Grandi appreciated the enormous task and responsibility involved in hosting large numbers of refugees amidst daunting security challenges.
He said the UN agency is doing everything it can to assist the Kenyan government in its efforts to continue helping the refugees despite the ongoing repatriation process.
Speaking at Dadaab refugee camp, Mr Grandi urged international donors to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance as plans progress for the voluntary return of hundreds of thousands of refugees from Kenya to their home country.
“At a time when many other countries are closing their borders and adopting restrictive measures, Kenya is continuing to host refugees.”
“This commitment of Kenya must be matched by the international community with humanitarian and development funding as well as increased resettlement places, university scholarships and other opportunities,” said the commissioner.
Mr Grandi said that as long as Somalia remains fragile, many refugees will remain apprehensive about returning home but he noted that a significant number of refugees are deciding to return.
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