European Union launches project to help IDPs in Somalia

Wednesday May 31, 2017



MOGADISHU Somalia (Xinhua) -- The EU in partnership with the UN and the Benadir Regional Administration, has launched a 13.4 million U.S. dollars project to protect and support the reintegration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benadir region.

A statement from the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) said Tuesday the project, RE-INTEG, aims to improve the living conditions of IDPs and returnees through the establishment of governance systems that will regulate their rights to housing, land and property, as well as social and political inclusion.

Susanne Martin, the EU Delegation’s Head of Section for Resilience, Infrastructure, Productive Sector said the RE-INTEG project would be implemented in an inclusive approach to build cohesion and promote collective ownership for all Somalis, irrespective of clan affiliation.

“Displaced people and host communities alike will all be supported with a view to reaching those that are the most vulnerable, irrespective of which group they belong to/or which place they come from,” Martin said.

   RE-INTEG is funded by the EU’s Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and will be implemented over a three-year period in Benadir region, which encompasses Mogadishu.

Peter de Clercq, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (DSRSG) for Somalia, who is also the UN Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, said the project would not only support the IDPs with basic needs, but also help boost incomes and livelihoods.

“It looks at the whole range of issues that will help IDPs fully integrate into society, and become normal residents of Somalia’s big cities,” de Clercq said.

The project is expected to facilitate the return of returnees back to their homes, although some will be integrated into their host cities.