The Chairman of the National Commission for Refugees and IDPs (NCRI), Mr. Ahmed Hussein Ilmi, represented Somalia at the Annual Conference on “Protection and Durable Solutions” for displaced populations, held this week in Djibouti City, Djibouti. The high-level gathering brought together representatives from IGAD member states, international organizations, and diplomatic missions to review the region’s progress and challenges in addressing displacement-related issues.
During the conference, participants presented key findings from extensive monitoring and assessments conducted throughout the year. The discussions centered on the achievements realized under the “Protection and Durable Solutions” initiatives set to conclude this year, as well as the persistent obstacles confronting IGAD countries amid ongoing humanitarian and climate-related pressures.
In his address, Chairman Ahmed Hussein Ilmi underscored Somalia’s continued commitment to advancing durable solutions for displaced communities. He highlighted three critical areas of focus for the Federal Government of Somalia: the far-reaching impact of declining humanitarian assistance, the escalating effects of climate change contributing to increased displacement, and the significant strides made toward the adoption and implementation of the IDP Protection and Assistance Bill—an essential legislative framework aimed at safeguarding the rights and wellbeing of internally displaced persons.
Mr. Ilmi emphasized that despite resource constraints, Somalia has made notable progress in improving coordination, strengthening institutional capacity, and promoting long-term solutions for vulnerable populations. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to sustaining these efforts in collaboration with regional and international partners.
Delegations attending the conference praised Somalia for the tangible steps taken to ease the plight of internally displaced persons and lauded the government’s sustained commitment to addressing humanitarian and development challenges. They also encouraged continued regional cooperation to enhance protection mechanisms and support sustainable solutions for displaced communities across IGAD member states.
The conference concluded with renewed calls for strengthened collaboration, increased investment in resilience-building programs, and reinforced policy frameworks aimed at ensuring lasting stability and protection for displaced populations in the Horn of Africa.
