Ministerial Pledging Conference on Somali Refugees - Main contents

Yesterday, I took part in a joint EU- UNHCR pledging conference on Somalia, here in Brussels.

Somalia is one of the countries with the largest and most protracted displaced communities worldwide, with 1.1 million internally displaced people and almost 1 million refugees in the Horn of Africa region.

This chronic situation has lasted 25 years and affected three generations. Clearly, we must rise to the challenge of offering these people a better future and give high priority to improving conditions and promoting stability in Somalia.

Europe's own history is marked by migration, forced displacement and returns. Nearly every European family has at one time been affected by displacement. As a Croatian citizen, I bear witness of the damage that war can do when it rages through a country, ravages its prosperity, divides its people and pushes them away from their homes and livelihoods.

So I was proud to see so many donors and partners coming together with one common aim - to mobilise international support to improve the lives of Somalian refugees and displaced people. The outcome - € 94 million pledged on the day - is a clear sign of international commitment in this area.

I was also proud to highlight that, as part of this total amount, the EU will contribute € 60 million in support of Somali refugees in Somalia and Kenya through two targeted actions.

First of all, we are putting in place a € 50 million programme for help in managing voluntary returns from Kenya, Yemen and Europe. It will improve the legal framework for internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees, and it will increase access to basic services and create realistic livelihood opportunities.

Secondly, the EU will finance a € 10 million programme for northern Kenya, to provide relief and better life opportunities to refugees in situations when returns are not yet possible, as well as to their host communities.

The EU's engagement in Somalia has been intensified over the years and the EU remains the largest donor, both in terms of political engagement and financial and technical support. More than € 1.2 billion has been provided since 2008. The EU's commitment to Somalia is rooted in the desire to rebuild the state, improve stability and reduce poverty. Self-sustaining economic growth can only happen by addressing the root causes of fragility.

I am determined to work together with my colleagues in the region to get this important initiative off the ground.

This is a tall order in today’s Somalia. But if we work together, it is not impossible to achieve lasting results.