Somalia: Puntland seeks int’l help to resettle Yemen refugees

GAROWE, Somalia, May 14, 2015 (GAROWE ONLINE)- Somalia’s Northeast State of Puntland made a plea for international assistance as hundreds of people fleeing from Yemen conflict continue to arrive in by boats, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking at a press conference in the state capital of Garowe on Thursday, Puntland Interior Minister Ahmed Elmi Osman (Ahmed Karash) acknowledged that the large influx is beyond the capacity of local authorities, asking UN bodies to step in.

The calls for external involvement have come after a boat carrying more than 1700 refugees from Yemen docked at Bossaso port on Wednesday.

He said, Puntland government worries about potential substandard conditions and waits for donors and aid agencies to intervene in the humanitarian situation on the ground. 

Karash has also held talks with Yemeni Ambassador to Somalia on the influx of refugees seeking safe haven in Puntland.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has insisted on the evacuation of Somalis caught in Yemen cross-fire by planes and ships.

Over 5000 people including Somalis, Yemenis, Ethiopians and Djiboutians have come ashore since early April.

Now languishing in worst conflict in recent memories, Yemen was once a destination for Somalis fleeing from danger at home. 

GAROWE ONLINE