The United Nations refugees agency has appealed to donors for an additional $115.4 million to facilitate the voluntary returns and reintegration of Somali refugees from Dadaab refugee camp to their motherland.
In a press statement, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) noted that funding is a major requirement for the relocation of Somalia refugees from Daadab and Kakuma refugee camps, as well as related projects and infrastructure in Somalia.
“UNHCR as a global agency is very much committed to ensuring that all voluntary returns to Somalia are carried out in dignity, safety and with due protection of at all times,” stated Tapsoba Valentin, Director of UNHCR Africa Bureau as quoted by Al Shaid media.
“In order to achieve this, we are hereby requesting the international donor fraternity to support this additional plea so that returning Somali people can go back to their homeland with the best ever possible opportunities to re-organize themselves and their families in peacefully,” he added.
UNHCR issued that it had previously appealed for $369.4 million meant for the Somalia situation. With this additional funding request, UNHCR’s total revised 2016 financial requirements for the response in the affected countries of Kenya and Somalia now lies at $484.8 million.