April 2, 2026 (Mogadishu, Somalia): The intergovernmental Authority on development (IGAD) in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees and IDPs (NCRI) under Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, Federal Republic of Somalia commenced a workshop on Enhancing Social Cohesion for Refugees, IDPs and Host Communities, in Mogadishu, Somalia.
The three – day initiative seeks to strengthen social cohesion among refugees, IDPs, and host communities in Mogadishu through structured dialogue, capacity-building workshops, and community-based engagement activities, including a symbolic football match. The initiative aims to foster trust, mutual understanding, and collaboration among communities to promote peaceful coexistence and shared resilience.
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary, IGAD, Mr. Mohamud Abdi Ahmed, IGAD Head of Mission to Federal Government of Somalia emphasized that the initiative, comprising of workshops and sports activities, will serve as a platform for dialogue, skill building and mutual respect, “IGAD is committed to strengthen its support in Enhancing Social Cohesion for Refugees, IDPs and Host Communities, in Somalia.” He added.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Mohamud Abdullahi Salad, Deputy Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees and IDPs, Federal Government of the Somalia explained that social integration between refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, host communities will help to live together peacefully, understanding each other and building strong and united communities, “I would like to give special thanks to IGAD and its team for organizing the meeting. As National Commission for Refugees and IDPs, we are ready to do our best to support peaceful co-existence and unity among communities,” The Deputy Commissioner stated.
The workshop targets refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and members of the host communities. The workshop is supported by the Protection and Solutions for Displaced Persons Project (PSSDP) that is funded by the Government of Sweden.
During the workshop, the participants have discussed on Social understanding and Community Integration and Conflict Resolution and Skills Development among others. They also carried out the Community – based engagement activities such as cultural dances, tug of war competition and football match between refugees, IDPs, and host communities to foster trust, teamwork and sportsmanship among the communities.
Subsequently, they agreed on developing a community network that promotes ongoing collaboration between refugees, IDPs and host communities, and on improving conflict resolution and dialogue skills, as well as, understanding and empathy among participants leading to stronger interpersonal relationships.
As of December 2025, Somalia hosted over 46,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Ethiopia, Yemen, and Syria, while also facing a major internal displacement crisis, with more than 3.5 million IDPs driven by conflict, insecurity, and climate-related disasters such as drought and flooding.
