A total of 35,672 refugees and asylum seekers mainly Yemenis and Ethiopians were hosted in Somalia across the three regions of Somaliland, Puntland and South central. In coordination with NCRI in South Central, NDRA in Somaliland and other regional authorities, UNHCR implemented projects through its partners for RAS, achieving results as indicated below;
In Somaliland, UNHCR processed 129 RSD cases with 182 interviews consisting 483 individuals. 111 government staff were trained in different capacity building initiatives. In terms of resettlement, 163 individuals through 42 Resettlement Registration Form (RRFs) were submitted to Sweden through the Resettlement Hub in Nairobi.161 individuals received a positive resettlement result in addition 179 individuals received for facilitation of departure to the resettlement country. In terms of basic needs and essential services, 7,025 refugees and asylum seekers were provided medical assistance, three public health centres in Hargeisa were supported, 2,473 refugees and asylum seekers’ children were provided with free educational support (1,950 primary, 350 secondary and 173 tertiary level students). 26 SGBV survivors were assisted and others referred to appropriate service providers. 2,587 persons of concern were provided with free legal assistance. 10 training sessions were provided to 527 law enforcement authorities and other government officials, 37 awareness raising campaigns on rights of refugees and asylum seekers conducted. A total of 2,595 individuals were reached through information and awareness raising activities. 1,252 households were provided with multi-purpose cash assistance and 60 households provided with one-time emergency assistance.
In South Central Somalia, the operation provided livelihoods assistance to 357 refugees and asylum-seekers with cash grants/business start-up capital and vocational trainings in Mogadishu. In terms of basic and essential services, UNHCR provided primary health care services to 2,300 beneficiaries (refugees and asylum seekers) in Mogadishu. 3 awareness raising sessions were conducted on health-related topics, 565 students (268 girls: 297 boys) were enrolled in primary, secondary and tertiary. The operation also made efforts to improve quality of education through various initiatives. A total of 38 (23 M: 15 F) refugees with specific needs were provided with assistive devices including wheelchairs, hearing aids and visual aids. 150 elderly mothers, women headed households, people with chronic illness, and GBV survivors were supported with multipurpose grants of $50. 35 (17 F: 18 M) persons of concern were trained on GBV and other relevant topics.
In Puntland, UNHCR facilitated access to free primary and secondary healthcare services for all refugees and asylum-seekers. 6,043 people received specific health care services, including 291 tertiary services. As a result, protection risks associated with ill health were minimized. Access to primary and secondary education was ensured through existing schools in the regions. UNHCR supported payment of school fees and related costs for 2,720 refugee students in Bossaso, Galkayo, Gardo and Garowe. Out of the 2,720 assisted, 2,484 were enrolled in primary schools and 236 in secondary schools. Basic and domestic items were distributed to 1,679 households, subsistence assistance was also provided to 847 vulnerable households. Capacity building support was provided to government departments and other regional authorities.