Sep 26, 2006

Somaliland: UNHCR Director Visits


The UNHCR Director for Africa, Madame Marjon Kamara left Hargeysa on Wednesday 20th September after paying a two-day visit to the country.

The UNHCR Director for Africa, Madame Marjon Kamara left Hargeysa on Wednesday after paying a two-day visit to the country.

Ms. Kamara held talks with Somaliland government officials on the issue of improving basic life conditions for returnees, internally displaced people and asylum seekers in Somaliland.

The UNHCR has been one of the first UN agencies to resume operations in Somaliland since 1991.

Since 1994, more than 200,000 Somaliland refugees returned from camps in eastern Ethiopia to their homes. Over 400,000 Somalilanders are believed to have returned on their own. The UNHCR completed earlier this month the construction of 14 primary schools.

Ongoing projects for completion this year include schools, water berkets, clinics, irrigation canals, assistance to farmers and women theatre at group hospital, dormitory for nursing school and training for municipalities.