HIGHLIGHTS
During the reporting period, a total of 4,922 individuals arrived in Somalia from Yemen to Berbera, Somaliland (1,356 persons) and Bossaso, Puntland (3,566 persons). Out of them, 2,976 individuals were registered by UNHCR in collaboration with local authorities and partners in Berbera and Bossaso Reception Centers. UNHCR is putting in place a system to strengthen registration of new arrivals.
In Berbera, there were two new arrivals: a boat carrying 288 individuals (171 Somalis, 112 Yemenis and 5 Ethiopians – 97 families) on 3 July and a boat carrying 1,068 individuals (1,041 Somalis, 26 Yemenis and 1 Ethiopian) on 6 July.
In Bossaso, there were two new arrivals: a ship carrying 3,502 individuals (3,067 Somalis, 419 Yemenis, 14 Ethiopians and 2 British-Somalis) on 2 July, which is the single largest arrival so far in Somalia; and a small boat carrying 64 individuals (46 Somalis, 15 Yemenis, 2 US-Somali citizens and 1 Sudanese) on 6 July.
A Level 3 Emergency for Yemen was declared by IASC on 1 July. Accordingly, UNHCR immediately appointed a Regional Refugee Coordinator, based in Djibouti. In line with this development, UNHCR Somalia is in the process of establishing a refugee coordination mechanism to effectively respond to the humanitarian needs and ensure timely information sharing on operational issues.
The Federal Government of Somalia announced on 30 June that Yemeni nationals arriving in Somalia will be granted prima facie refugee status, in line with the statements already issued since the beginning of the crisis by Somaliland and Puntland authorities.