Somalia rolls out initiative to address displacement

MOGADISHU, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) — Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Wednesday launched an action plan aimed at finding durable solutions to displacement, one of the challenges facing the country.
The National Solutions Pathways Action Plan (2024-2029) will provide resettlement for more than 1 million displaced people, empower communities and drive sustainable development, Barre said.
He noted that the plan is a milestone in the government’s efforts to address displacement, as it aims to improve the livelihoods of over 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs).
“One million Somalis returning to normal life will be a significant step toward finding a durable solution for the displaced so they can be part of society and contribute to the country’s development,” Barre said in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.
The comprehensive plan ensures access to services, livelihoods, housing and enhanced resilience for displacement-affected communities.
The launch event brought together government officials, UN agencies, donors and civil society representatives, among others.
Barre said that protracted displacement has been triggered by recurrent droughts, floods and persistent conflict and insecurity, leading to substantial loss of livelihoods.
Somalia’s displacement crisis is one of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies, with about 4 million IDPs.
“This staggering number represents over a fifth of the entire Somali population, underscoring the immense scale of displacement in the country,” the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development said in a press release.
These factors, the ministry added, have historically forced many Somalis to abandon their homes in search of safety and stability. ■