Mogadishu, Somalia – The the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) have safely evacuated 282 Somali citizens fleeing military infighting in Sudan.  The safe return conducted between 30 April and 3 May, involved a combination of inland transportation and four charter flights.  

Two flights landed in Mogadishu, one in Garowe and another one in Hargeisa. 

The evacuees included men, women, and children who were either students, migrant workers, or migrants on the move or stranded in Sudan. They left Sudan by their own means and reached the Ethiopian border town of Metema, where IOM and the Somali Government facilitated their movement to Addis Ababa to take flights to Somalia. 

IOM led the coordination efforts in partnership with relevant authorities, including, amongst others, Somalia’s Office of the Special Envoy for Migrants and Children’s Right and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Embassy in Ethiopia. 

IOM supported the evacuees with transportation to the airport, visa fees and temporary accommodation in Ethiopia during the layover.  

"I am happy to be back in my country. As a student, I was in the midst of preparing for my Ph.D. in political science," said Iftin Jeylani Abdalla. 

Another evacuee, Mohamed Ahmed Aden Buhane, expressed his joy in returning home safely, saying, "I am extremely happy to be back. The situation in Sudan was unexpected and difficult, but finally, I am delighted to be back home.” 

As the situation in Sudan continues to unfold, IOM is committed to providing support and assistance to those affected, including the more than 7,000 Somali citizens who are still stranded in Sudan. Many of them are expected to make their way to neighboring countries and are in urgent need of evacuation support.  

The evacuation was made possible with funding from the European Union, and with support from UNICEF and UNFPA. IOM is appealing for more funding to support Somali citizens affected by the conflict in Sudan and who are in urgent need of a safe return and reintegration.   

For more information, Claudia Rosel, Media and Communications Office, cbarrios@iom.int