160 Somali citizens returning from Yemen have been welcomed in Mogadishu; they are bound for various regions across Somalia, including Puntland, Somaliland, and Jubbaland.
Liiban Abdi Igal, the head of the National Commission for Refugees and IDPs, emphasized the importance of repatriating Somali citizens facing hardship in countries they entered via irregular migration—particularly Yemen, which is currently experiencing conflict.
The returnees were received at the Returnee Integration Center, where they are provided with services such as medical screenings, registration, identification cards, and mobile phones, alongside assistance in reaching their home regions.
Liiban Abdi Igal noted that the number of returnees from Yemen could rise, pointing out that many Somalis reside there, some of whom are registered as refugees with the UNHCR. He stated that the current returnees requested to come back to their country voluntarily and were not forcibly repatriated.
The Chairperson stated that the government, in collaboration with relevant agencies, is preparing job creation opportunities, training, and business support for returnees to facilitate their reintegration into society and enable them to sustain their livelihoods within Somalia.
He also noted that the agency is ready to welcome Somali citizens returning from other countries, specifically mentioning Libya, other African nations, and India.
