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Thousands back in Mogadishu despite violence

An IDP camp in Dayniile, northwest of Mogadishu. Abdullahi Hassan/IRIN
    NAIROBI

    At least 40,000 displaced Somalis have returned to Mogadishu despite continuing violence over the past six weeks, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).



    The returnees, who have lost everything, are coming back to ruined homes and livelihoods. Most had fled to Hiiraan, Mudug, Galgadud, Lower and Middle Shabelle in the southern and central regions. These areas are experiencing renewed conflict and severe drought.



    Back in Mogadishu, they have mostly returned to Hodan, Wardhiigleey, Yaaqshid and Haleiwa neighbourhoods in the north - areas devastated by two years of war and now virtually empty.



    At least 1.3 million Somalis are displaced within their own country, according to UNHCR. In 2008, some 100,000 sought refuge in neighbouring Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Yemen.



    eo/mw

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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