A New Chapter: 155 Somali refugees return home to Somalia from Yemen with UNHCR support

For 155 Somali refugees, a flight from Yemen to Mogadishu marked the beginning of a new chapter as they voluntarily returned home

Under UNHCR’s Assisted Spontaneous Return (ASR) Programme, a total of 155 Somali refugees safely and voluntarily arrived at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on 5 August, warmly welcomed by the Deputy Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees and IDPs (NCRI), and the Director of Diaspora Affairs from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This latest return movement marks another step forward in providing lasting solutions to the plight of thousands of Somali refugees globally, including in Yemen, in close collaboration with the Government of Somalia and humanitarian partners.

Fatuma Abdi, a 43-year-old single mother of three, is among those who have just returned. She said the decision to return home was driven by hope for a better future for her children and the chance to rebuild their lives with dignity in Somalia.

"Life as a refugee has not been easy. I have always dreamed of returning home, where my children can grow up close to their family and our community. Today, I feel hopeful. I know rebuilding our lives will take time, but being back in Somalia gives us a chance to start again with dignity and create a better future together."

The voluntary return program is part of ongoing efforts by UNHCR, the Government of Somalia, and humanitarian partners to support Somali refugees who have chosen to return home from Yemen in a safe, voluntary, and dignified manner. Beyond facilitating their journey home, the initiative aims to support sustainable reintegration by strengthening access to protection, basic services, and opportunities that help returnees rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.

It also advances UNHCR’s 50 by 30 Strategy, which seeks to accelerate solutions for displaced and stateless people by expanding access to voluntary repatriation, local integration, and complementary pathways through stronger government leadership and coordinated partnerships.

“Every voluntary return represents a deeply personal decision and an important step towards helping people once forced to flee, rebuild their lives,” said Ms. Jing Song, UNHCR’s Deputy Representative in Somalia. “Together with the Government of Somalia and our partners, we remain committed to ensuring that returnees receive protection, assistance and the support they need to reintegrate successfully into their communities.”

In 2025, some 1,000 Somali refugees similarly returned home from Yemen, demonstrating continued progress toward sustainable solutions through safe, voluntary, and dignified return.

“The Government of Somalia welcomes its citizens home and remains committed to working with partners to facilitate their safe return and sustainable reintegration,” said Mr. Liban Abdi Egal, Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees and IDPs (NCRI).

For Fatuma, like many other returnees, the journey home is more than a return to her country. It is an opportunity to reunite with family, restore a sense of belonging, and provide her children with the stability and support of their community. Despite uncertainties about their future, she remains optimistic about building a new future for her family.

UNHCR continues to work closely with national authorities and partners to strengthen reintegration support, recognizing that sustainable returns depend not only on safe transportation but also on opportunities for returnees to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.