UNHCR Somalia has been working in close collaboration with UNHCR offices in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Yemen to properly attend to Somali returnees. In South Central, UNHCR played a key role in preparing and signing a Tripartite Agreement between the Government of Kenya, the Federal Government of Somalia and UNHCR for the voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees living in Kenya. In addition, the office designed a pilot project to support spontaneous refugee returns. The agreement guarantees UNHCR’s imperative for a safe and dignified return, and conserves the protection and asylum space for Somali refugees who haven’t opted to return.
To support the spontaneous return of refugees from Kenya in 2013 and 2014, UNHCR established way stations at crossing points in Dobley, and return pilot areas in Kismayo, Baidoa and Luuq. These way stations provide initial reintegration assistance and act as contact points for returnees with UNHCR and partners. District profiles have been developed to assess the feasibility of returns and reintegration. Additionally, the protection and cross-border movement monitoring system has been reinforced through a network of partners, including the protection cluster.
UNHCR has also designed an action plan together with Somaliland and Djibouti authorities for the return of Somaliland refugees to Djibouti in 2014. This process needs to be closely monitored as only one case returned to Somaliland in 2013 and two cases in 2014. At the moment, refugees that decide to voluntary return are not receiving any kind of assistance and may face a number of protection challenges. Due to the protracted nature of external displacements, most of the returnees have no shelters to go back to. Additionally, Somali Federal Government and local authorities have limited capacity and funds to boost service provision in areas of high return.