From Aden to Home: 160 Somali Refugees Embark on a New Chapter
The departure from Aden International Airport carried more than just passengers. It carried the hopes of 160 Somali refugees who chose to return to their homeland, embarking on a new journey under the Assisted Voluntary Return (ASR) programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
This journey marks the third voluntary return flight facilitated by Nahda Makers Organization in 2026, continuing its efforts to support refugees who wish to return to their countries of origin and to facilitate their journey from the preparation stage through to their departure from the airport.
Ahead of the departure, the organization’s team supported the necessary preparations, including refugee registration and document verification, pre-departure awareness sessions, and the transportation of returnees and their belongings to Aden International Airport, while facilitating travel procedures in coordination with the relevant authorities.
The returnees also received the necessary medical examinations conducted by Al-Ehsan Humanitarian Organization. Meanwhile, UNHCR provided counselling on voluntary return, coordinated travel arrangements, and facilitated air tickets and cash assistance to support return and reintegration.
As the plane departed, the journey represented more than a move from one place to another. For many of the returnees, it was a step toward home and an opportunity to begin a new chapter after years of displacement.
160 travellers. 160 stories. One destination: home.