Article 12 - Addition of family members to entry and residence permit

A foreigner may request that his entry and residence permit should include his spouse or his children under 18 years, who live with him and for whom he is responsible.

Article 13.1 - Grant of permission

With the approval of the Minister, the Refugee Affairs Department may grant permission to the Dependents of the Refugee upon application to enter and reside within Puntland and such Dependents shall be entitled to the rights and privileges accorded to the Refugee for the period of the Refugee’s stay within Puntland.

Article 25.1 - Family of a Recognized Refugee

Every person who is under the age of 15 and is a member of the family of a recognized refugee or asylum seeker and applied to be reunited with his family shall enjoy the same protection as that recognized refugee and shall; a) be permitted to enter and remain in the Republic of Somaliland for as long as the recognized refugee is permitted to remain; and b) be issued with all necessary documents and identification related to his refugee status in accordance with this Act,

Article 26.3 - Family Reunification

The application for permission of a family Reunification shall specifying the number of family members, their names and the family relationship between the refugee and the persons to whom the application relates

Article 26.4 - Family Reunification

4) The Republic of Somaliland may grant permission of refugee status under this Article to: - a) Anyone in the family who is under the age 15. b) Any dependant of a member of the family of a recognised refugee and will be is given the opportunity to go through the registration process.

Provision 10 - Family life

The Puntland Government recognizes and reaffirms the right to respect the family life of IDPs in accordance with the Constitution, international human rights and humanitarian law standards and shall protect family unity, including promoting and supporting family tracing and reunification, in particular in relation to separated children.

Section 5.10 - Family tracing and family life

The Government reaffirms the right of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to family life and shall take measures to preserve and protect family unity. Through the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, relevant line ministries, law enforcement, NGOs, and aid agencies, the Government shall: Allocate adequate resources; Establish a coordinated system for tracing, locating, and reuniting separated family members, including community-based methods; Maintain an updated database with relevant information; and Ensure stakeholder participation, including IDPs and affected communities. Alternative Care for Children In accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children, the Government shall ensure that displaced children remain with or are reunited with their families, and where not possible, have access to appropriate alternative care. Measures shall: Address care and protection needs of vulnerable children and families; Prevent and respond to family separation; Prioritize tracing and reunification of separated and unaccompanied children; Promote community-based, stable care arrangements; Allocate sufficient resources to meet the needs of children and caregivers; Ensure care institutions meet minimum registration and monitoring standards, and expand alternative care where needed; Conduct comprehensive assessments of children’s needs prior to placement; and Prevent discrimination in service delivery to unaccompanied children, child-headed households, and others in need of care and protection.