Abu Dhabi, Dec 31 (IANS/WAM) Around 5,000 displaced Somalian villagers staying at a camp of around 30,000 people in the capital Mogadishu have been repatriated to their villages by the United Arab Emirates’ Red Crescent Authority (RCA).
RCA chairman Ahmed Humaid Al Mazrouie said 465 families comprising about 3,000 displaced people have returned to their and villages in the second phase of the programme, while around 2,000 people had returned in the first convoy.
The displaced families were living at the UAE Raja (Hope) makeshift camp in Mogadishu.
Launched in November 2011, the RCA repatriation programme provides every family with food supplies for three months in addition to $400 to help purchase basic things needed for resettlement.
The aim of the programme was to help the displaced people go back to their fields and benefit from the good rainy season.
The UAE initiative has been appreciated by Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the RCA chief said.
Saleh Al Taie, RCA deputy secretary-general for relief and projects, said $1.6 million has been earmarked for the repatriation programme.
