Meeting in Marib discusses the conditions of the Somali community in the governorate.

On December 4, 2024, Marib Governor’s Deputy Ali Al-Fatimi met with the Chargé d’Affaires of the Somali Embassy in Yemen, Abdul Karim Nasser, to discuss the conditions facing the Somali community in Marib. This meeting highlighted the ongoing challenges and efforts to support this vulnerable group amid the broader humanitarian crisis in the region.

Local Government Efforts to Support Somali Migrants

During the meeting, which also included the Director of the Foreign Office in Marib, Hussein Al-Mustafa, and the Director General of the Political Security Branch, Brigadier Najy Hatram, Al-Fatimi outlined the local government’s initiatives to provide essential humanitarian services to the Somali community and irregular migrants from various East African countries.

He emphasized the local authority’s commitment to addressing the needs of approximately 2.3 million displaced individuals and around 37,000 migrants residing in the province. However, the local government faces significant challenges due to the declining role of international organizations and their limited interventions in critical areas such as food, water, shelter, health, and protection.

Call for Increased International Support

The meeting underscored the necessity for the United Nations and its various agencies, along with international organizations, to fulfill their humanitarian and ethical responsibilities towards African migrants in Marib, including members of the Somali community. Al-Fatimi urged these entities to provide essential services and care to these individuals in coordination with local authorities.

Somali Embassy’s Commitment to Voluntary Return Program

In response, Abdul Karim Nasser explained that his visit aimed to monitor the voluntary return program for Somali nationals to their home country, in collaboration with relevant international organizations. He praised the humanitarian efforts of the local authority in Marib, acknowledging the services and attention provided to African migrants, particularly the Somali community. Nasser recognized the substantial burden that Marib bears in accommodating millions of displaced Yemenis and tens of thousands of Africans amid the ongoing difficult circumstances in Yemen.

This meeting highlights the pressing need for coordinated efforts to address the humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations in Marib, particularly as the region continues to navigate complex challenges.

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