Somalia creates agency for refugees, IDPs
The federal government in Somalia through its Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs has announced the creation of a new National Agency for Refugees and IDPs (ARI). The agency is founded as a national institution that will anchor the future development of legal frameworks, response planning, implementation and advocacy of matters concerning refugees and the internally displaced, a government statement said on Sunday.
Somalia continues to face immense and complex challenges related to the large-scale protracted displacement within and around the country, it said.
According to the government over 2.1 million Somalis are displaced within the country, mired in decades of civil strife and in the East African region that is struggling to cope with the burgeoning refugee populations.
It said the agency which is under the Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs is a significant step on the road to rebuilding Somalia.
The establishment of the Nation Agency for Refugees and IDPs is in line with the government’s policy framework for displacement within Somalia which was adopted earlier in 2014.
The agency has been launched as Somali refugees return voluntarily from Kenya and look forward to their reintegration in the society.
Signature : APA
