Thursday December 5, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali government, in partnership with international organizations, repatriated 161 Somali youth stranded in Libya through the Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) program on Thursday.
Seventy-four of the repatriated people were returned to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, and 87 were welcomed in Mogadishu.
"This operation highlights Somalia's unwavering commitment to its citizens and to addressing migration challenges through cooperation with our international partners," said Foreign Minister Fiqi, expressing gratitude to the European Union, IOM, and UNHCR for their pivotal support.
Ambassador Mariam Yassin, Somalia's Special Presidential Envoy for Migrants, Returnees, and Children's Rights, praised the collaborative effort and the government's dedication to safeguarding its people. EU Ambassador to Somalia Karin Johansson and IOM Somalia Country Director Manuel Marques commended Somalia's strides toward addressing migration and reintegration.
Somalia's Ambassador to Libya, Abdi Adan, played a key role in facilitating the operation. While the repatriation marks a significant milestone, the country continues to grapple with high unemployment rates, which remain a challenge for the sustainable reintegration of returnees.