Aden – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced the successful facilitation of the voluntary return of dozens of Somali refugees from Yemen to their home country, marking the first repatriation flight of its kind in 2025.

The group, which included vulnerable individuals such as women, children, and elderly refugees, departed from Aden International Airport and arrived safely in Mogadishu, Somalia. The operation was carried out in coordination with Yemeni authorities and Somali officials, with logistical and humanitarian support provided by UNHCR and its partners.

According to UNHCR, the returnees had been living in Yemen for several years, many of them displaced by conflict and economic hardship. After expressing their desire to return home, they were assisted through a structured repatriation process that included medical screenings, travel documentation, and reintegration support upon arrival in Somalia.

UNHCR officials emphasized that the repatriation was entirely voluntary, in line with international protection standards, and that efforts are ongoing to support Somali refugees who wish to return home safely and with dignity.

Yemen has long hosted thousands of Somali refugees, despite facing its own humanitarian crisis. This latest initiative reflects a renewed commitment to durable solutions for displaced populations in the region.