The extension of Dadaab refugee camp closure by another six months has been welcomed by the UN refugee agency.
The UN has however called for flexibility on the time frame for the refugee repatriation.
“For refugees repatriation from Dadaab to be successful there is much more time needed, For solutions to be genuinely voluntary people must be properly informed and able to make their individual decisions free from pressure and in full awareness of the facts,” read UNHCR statement
“A verification exercise taken between July and August confirmed a population of 58,000 refugees had reduced compared to the last exercise. Another 40,500 people who either posses or are on record as having applied for Kenyan identity cards were identified.” The statement read in part.
UNHCR said plans have commenced the relocation of 14,000 non-Somali refugees to Kakuma Refugee camp in Turkana.
16,000 refugees awaiting resettlement clearances will have these procedures finalized to enable departure from Kenya to third countries.
The UN agency has called on the international community to make adequate investments in Somalia to support its progress towards security and stability.