The World Refugee Day is commemorated across the world on 20th June. In Somaliland, the commemoration coincides with influx of people fleeing from armed conflict in Yemen.
Human Rights Centre (HRC) is concerned by the alarming situation of the Yemeni citizens in Berbera and Hargeisa. HRC has seen Yemeni refugees in Hargeisa who live in a dire circumstance. The Yemenis visited by HRC live in a small rented and overcrowded rooms each shared by three to four families. There are no health facilities, food, and education available for these people who escaped from conflict-ridden Yemen. The majority are poor people who cannot afford paying rents, food and water.
HRC have witnessed families sleeping on empty floors. The condition is disturbing particularly for the children.
Chairperson, Human Rights Centre
“These people are not receiving the support they need including housing, food, education and registration. Their condition is startling”, says Guleid Ahmed Jama, chairperson of Human Rights Centre. “The local people in some areas are giving subsistence of a day and renting rooms for one or two months. Families were complaining eviction because they could no longer pay rents. They are neglected and in a dire need of help,” he adds.
Human Rights Centre calls on the government of Somaliland, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the other international and local organizations to help Yemenis in Somaliland.
Contact
Guleid Ahmed Jama
Chairperson, Human Rights Centre
Email: dafac02@hotmail.com or hrcsomaliland@gmail.com Phone: +252 (0)63 4102244