UNHCR warns Somali refugees facing increasingly adverse circumstances in Yemen and require solutions

SANA’A, 24 December 2016 (UNHCR) — Concluding a visit to Yemen this week, the UNHCR Special Envoy for Somali refugees, Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey, warned of increasingly desperate conditions facing refugees in the country and the need for additional support and solutions as the country slides in to 21 months of devastating conflict.

During his visit to Yemen on 21 to 22 December, the Special Envoy, who is on a global mission to refocus attention and solutions for the Somali refugee situation, met with Yemeni authorities and heard from Somali refugee representatives in Aden and Sana’a.

Meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Committee for Refugee Affairs, the Special Envoy conveyed gratitude to the government and people of Yemen for their continued generosity in hosting Somali refugees.

“Yemen has been exceptionally generous towards those in need of international protection. Somalis have long been welcomed here with open arms to respite, safety and protection,” the Special Envoy said.

However with prolonged conflict devastating the country and civilians facing increasing insecurity and hardship, Yemen’s 278,670 refugees and asylum seekers, of which Somalis constitute 91 per cent of this total, are particularly at risk.

In meetings convened with Somali refugee leaders, the Special Envoy heard first-hand accounts of how the conflict has impacted on their safety and well-being. In addition to concerns of security and risks of death or injury, many are facing increased hardship, struggling to cover basic needs, losing livelihoods, and lacking commodities and access to essential services.

“Given the circumstances where Somali refugees in Yemen, having escaped violence and insecurity in Somalia, are now faced with a situation of conflict once more, we need to take heed of and support their aspirations whether they continue to see their future here, back home or elsewhere,” the Special Envoy said.

“Over the coming months we will continue to work closely with and extend our full support to both Yemeni authorities and refugee communities themselves to ensure their continued protection and to give life to their wishes,” he said.

Of the 254,921 Somali refugees registered in Yemen, most originate from Banadir, Lower Shabelle, Bay, Middle Shabelle and Woqooyi Galbeed regions in Somalia. Many reside in Yemen in Aden, Amanat Al Asimah and Lahj governorates.

In Yemen, UNHCR provides services for refugees and asylum seekers including through protection programs and legal assistance, supporting education and livelihoods programs, and providing health services and pyscho-social assistance amongst others.

In addition to Yemen, the Special Envoy visited Somali refugee-hosting countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda where he met with national leaders, senior government officials and refugees to advocate for their protection, assistance and durable solutions

ENDS

Contacts:

Shabia Mantoo, UNHCR Yemen Spokesperson: +962 7 9614 3158, [email protected]