The Problems of Refugees in Aden: The Search for a Solution Continues.. [Archives:2000/06/Reportage]
February 7 2000
Ridhwan Al-Saqqaf
Yemen Times,
Among the programs of the UN High Commissioner office for Refugees Affairs is the voluntary deportation of refugees to their countries via Aden airport. The head of Yemen Times Aden Bureau Ridhwan Al-Saqqaf interviewed Mr. Nabeel Dawood Othman, Representative of High Commissioner office in Aden, filing this report:
Q: How do you assess the work of the High Commissioner office in regarding refugees according to the international law?
Q: What do the statistics mention about number and nationalities of refugees?
A: According to the statistics of 1996-1999 there are 47,090 Somali people living in Aden, Sana’a and other governorates of the Republic.
Q: There are complaints by refugees on not receiving refuge cards and insufficiency of food rations.
A: We, in the office of the High Commissioner work hard in spite of our moderate capabilities to render the best services to refugees in Yemen. It is not necessarily that such assistance covers all the needs or wishes of the refugees. Nevertheless we try to carry out projects and activities for the refugee to depend on himself as much as possible.
A: The High Commissioner offers various kinds of assistance to governments hosting refugees to provide them with their basic needs of food, health care, drinking water, education, Islamic studies for their children and housing.
There is also a multi-department social center for professional training, handicraft for women, such as sewing as well nurseries for children. This is carried out by local and foreign non-governmental organizations funded by the High Commissioner office.
There are also scholarships for refugees in Yemen. In September 1999, the High Commissioner for Refugees Affairs granted twenty scholarships to refugees from Somali, Ethiopian and Sudanese nationalities. Those refugees were sent to study in Aden University and Amin Nashir Institute for Health Sciences.
Q: What is the present condition inside camps in Hugain area?
A: Refugees who live inside the camp receive food and other basic requirements like mattresses, blankets, plastic materials and tents. We have so far pitched around 500 tents. Regular maintenance and repairs are carried out in the camp in addition to a project for collecting garbage to keep it clean.
Q: Does the High Commission continue in carrying out voluntary deportation of refugees?
A: Yes, in 1999, the High Commission had voluntarily deported 1833 Somali refugees and five Ethiopians. We also received 9311 refugees during the same year. They arrived in Yemen through Maifa’a center, which was constructed by the High Commissioner in Shabwah governorate.
Q: What are the projects that are being done recently by the High Commission?
A: For the time being, the High Commissioner office received instructions from the government to transfer the camp to Kharaz area. The process of moving it will be finished by the end of the first half of the year 2000. The main services and equipment are available in that area for digging wells, in addition building water tank and offices for employees.
Q: What is the relationship between the High Commission and the Yemeni authorities? How do you assess the level of cooperation?
A: We have continuous coordination and cooperation with Yemeni government authorities regarding refugees. We also thank Yemeni government for their help to facilitate the commission’s tasks. We are proud to find an Arab country like Yemen that hosts refugees in spite of its economic difficulties. Yemen’s government and people deserve all gratitude and appreciation by the refugees.
The High Commissioner office had last year drawn up a program for training government representatives through joining workshops held locally or abroad with the aim of providing them with criteria, principles and measures on the laws of asylum and refuge.
The High Commissioner held workshops during 1998/1999. More than 120 official representatives participated in those workshops. By the end of the year 1998 the High Commission and the government trained their employees in Maifa’a to enable Yemen to play an active role in recognizing those seeking the right to asylum.
Q: Can you give us a brief idea about your assistance in ensuring voluntary return of refugees?
A: Since 1994, the UN High Commission for Refugee Affairs has been encouraging Ethiopian and Somali refugees to return to their countries if there is a guarantee that they will find protection. During the period 1994-1997 the High Commission offered help to Somali and Ethiopian refugees to return to their countries under financial aid and logistic backing offered by the commission.
In 1999 the High Commission returned 1833 Somali refugees to their country. There is also a number of Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees who returned willingly to their countries. Due to the unstable circumstances in Somalia, the Somali refugees cannot return at the present time. So, we try to implement such programs to make refugees return to the safe areas in Somalia.
The High Commissioner office is still receiving applications from refugees who want to return to their countries willingly.
——
[archive-e:06-v:2000-y:2000-d:2000-02-07-p:./2000/iss06/report.htm]
