During the EP plenary session (15-18 May 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on Dadaab refugee camp. Statements by Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, &nbsp;Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG), Elena VALENCIANO (S&amp;D, SE), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), and Heidi Anneli HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Somalia (T)

VERGIAT, Marie-Christine (GUE/NGL, FR)

VALENCIANO, Elena (S&D, ES)

GABRIEL, Mariya (EPP, BG, EC)

STYLIANIDES, Christos (CY, EC)

HAUTALA, Heidi (Greens/EFA, FI)

Dadaab refugee camp: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, 6.7 million people, half of the total population, are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. 683,000 people I've been internally displaced as a result of the thread, as a results humanitarian partners are actually preparing for the a possible influx of Somali refugees to neighbouring countries. We must also recall that EU adheres to the principles that the return must be voluntary, dignified and sustainable.

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, The EU has intensified programs aim to strengthen the stabilisation of Somalia. In addition in response to the security threats coming from terrorism in Somalia we are supporting various projects to counter violent extremist with an overall budget of 18 million Euro.

SOUNDBITE (French), Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG), We have to take on the role as mediators, we must encourage un urgent regional responds with a few things: integration into the type that agreement signed between the High Commissioner for Refugees Kenya and Somalia ; secondly measures to stabilize the situation in some Somalia, again can with an approach which goes transcends on short time dimension and looks at long term humanitarian and human development ; thirdly strengthening dialogue between all countries in the region the sub regional are organisations and the African Union .

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Elena VALENCIANO (S&amp;D, SE), The European Union perhaps is not the best position to lecture Kenya, a country that has been generous in welcoming in refugees, despite the difficulties it's itself faces in the Horn of Africa there a great dangers to be face link to the risks of terrorism and hunger and drought.

SOUNDBITE (French), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), Also the refugees had become a pawn in an electoral game and this is why the motion has been made to close down the camp. This is happening despite the fact that the situation in Somalia is deteriorating but it's more and more dangerous. 96% of the Somalis refused to return to their country. We talk about fighting against the root causes of migration but I think we have to start with solidarity and yet the responses were coming up are military or security based above all else. In terms of the money that should be made available in order take care of these refugees in Kenia only a fraction of that money has actually been received. We are heading towards an unprecedented humanitarian disaster it has become a matter of urgency.

SOUNDBITE (Finnish), Heidi Anneli HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), We should in no way a support any kind of forced returns to a situation where climate change is worsening the situation, famine is threatening at people&rsquo;s lives! Commissioner, you&rsquo;ve mentioned the internally displaced people.