Connect with us
The harmonization of definitions, concepts, methodologies and key tools is another priority area of concern for the African Union Commission.
ADDIS-ABEBA, Ethiopia, November 19, 2021 / APO Group / -On the occasion of African Statistics Day on November 18, 2021, the African Union Commission, in collaboration with Member States, Regional Economic Communities, ILO, IOM and Statistics Sweden, launched the 3rd edition of the report on labor migration statistics in Africa, under the Joint Program on Labor. Governance of Migration for Development and Integration in Africa (JLMP).
Key highlights of the report include filling some of the data gaps from the previous edition using data from additional data sources, an improved chapter on social protection, remittances and other additional features. migrant workers.
During the launch, some of the best practices leading to producing a better report with richer data were highlighted, as well as some of the main challenges and data gaps encountered when collecting migration data. of manpower for the third edition of the report.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Sabelo Mbokazi, Head of the Division of Labor, Employment and Migration at the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission briefed the delegates that the production of these series of reports has considerably improved the availability of labor. migration statistics on the continent. He pointed out that with the evidence available in the report, intra-regional migratory movements are predominant on the continent compared to outside the continent. Mr. Mbokazi further noted that with this increase in migratory movements, labor migration is a priority thematic area that requires high-quality and up-to-date data on labor migration for the 'evidence-based policy making. He also highlighted that the harmonization of definitions, concepts, methodologies and key tools is another priority area of concern for the African Union Commission.
Recognizing the importance of leading the political discourse with evidence-based data and knowledge, the African Union Commission operationalized the Pan-African Statistics Institute (STATAFRIC) in Tunis, Tunisia, the Migration Observatory in Afrique (AMO) in Rabat, Morocco, the Africa Migration Research Center in Bamako, Mali, and the Continental Operation Center in Khartoum, Sudan to support member states in the production, harmonization and research of migration statistics in different thematic areas of migration, including labor migration, human trafficking, regular and irregular migration among others, Mr. Mbokazi noted that “these institutions in collaboration with the JLMP are eager to set up measures to harmonize data on the continent and make them comparable at all levels ”.
IOM Representative Mr. Jason Theede, Senior Regional Specialist on Labor Mobility and Human Development, IOM Regional Office for Southern Africa, said the production of the third Editing of the report is a cornerstone and an indication of improved data on labor migration. in the mainland. He added that “the complexities and dynamics of labor migration have changed dramatically, resulting in various migratory movements that must be accurately captured and reported in a timely manner in order to understand current migration trends. This means that each edition of the Labor Migration Statistics report must capture these trends in order to reflect the current situation with more focused policies and better decision making ”.
Ms. Ulla Andrén, Embassy of Sweden, Ethiopia stressed that Sweden will continue to support the JLMP project to enhance the good quality of migration data and statistics as they are essential for better migration management.
In his remarks, Mr. Alexio Musindo, Director of the ILO Office and Representative of AU, ECA, recognized and appreciated the great collaborative effort between AU, ILO, ECA and IOM to join forces through the JLMP-Priority program to move forward and accelerate political support. for effective governance of labor migration in Africa through improved collection, analysis and dissemination of data on labor migration. In addition, Mr. Alexio indicated that effective governance of labor migration remains a key priority for the ILO in Africa due to its effects on the future of the continent. To achieve this priority, there is an urgent need to collect, analyze and disseminate data to contribute to the effective implementation of the continental labor migration components of the 2018 United Nations Global Compact on Safe Migration. , orderly and regular, as well as the revised version of the African Union. Migration policy framework for Africa and action plan (2018-2030).
On behalf of the Statistician General of South Africa, Ms. Nozipho Shabalala welcomed the launch of the report and said: Africa and the promotion of social and economic development of the African continent ”. According to Ms. Nozipho, South Africa plans to include a module on migration in the labor force survey to broaden understanding of labor migration. This will allow South Africa to report on labor migration indicators on an annual basis.
Mr. Brian Okengo, Statistician in the AU Division of Labor, Employment and Migration provided an overview of the main findings of the report. The African Union Commission encouraged all stakeholders to provide support to fill data gaps in order to obtain quality data and update the data for the production of the 4th edition of the report on labor migration statistics.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday received 95 Nigerians stranded from Libya at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Alhaji Habib Mustapha, the Director-General of NEMA, who was represented Coordinator of the Lagos Territorial Office of the Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos. Farinloye said that the stranded Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Tuesday night at about 20.18 p.m with Al Buraq airline with number UZ189/16/5A- DMG-MJI AD15:50. He said that the returnees were brought back to the country Organisation for Migration (IOM) through a voluntary repatriation program for the distressed who had left the country to seek greener pastures in various European countries but could not afford to return when their journey became frustrated. Farinloye said that the returnees are 60 male adults, 29 female adults, three male, and one female teenager, with two infants (one male and the other female). He said that among the returnees were two males who had various degrees of health-related issues. According to him, “On arrival, Mustapha implored the returnees to turn a new leaf within the country that has been blessed with abundant resources.” He assured the returnees that the Federal Government and the IOM, along with other international partners, will not disappoint them as Nigerians enabling environment for them to achieve their potentials. He further reminded them that the pseudo greener pastures that many thought abound in foreign countries are not true but with your experiences now. He added that they are in better position to enlighten anyone still contemplating to travel out of the country. Source: NAN
…………..No Nigerian will be left stranded
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Nigerian Mission in Libya, has repatriated another 95 Nigerians stranded in Libya in its continuous evacuation process.
Mr Kabiru Musa, Charge d’Affairs of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.
Musa said that IOM and the Nigerian Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had pledged to ensure the continuous evacuation of stranded Nigerians in the country under its voluntary repatriation process.
He stated that the 95 persons who were airlifted from the Misrata Airport in Libya were expected to arrive the Murtala Mohammed Airport on Tuesday night.
“The IOM and the Nigerian Government through its Mission in Libya successfully evacuated another set of 95 Nigerians stranded in Libya.
“The evacuees include women, children and men who are victims of human trafficking and irregular migrants on voluntary return who took Libya as a transit country amongst others.
“The process is being carried out under the IOM’s Voluntary repatriation process and the Nigerian government is committed to ensuring that none of its citizens remains stranded in this country,” he said.
He said they had carried our a series of repatriation in the past weeks, adding that they would continue until no Nigerian is left stranded or allowed to face undue maltreatment and injustice in Libya.
Musa said that they appreciated the Libyan authority for its collaboration in ensuring the success of this process.
He stated that upon return, the evacuees would be provided with reintegration and rehabilitation assistance to enable them integrate into the society with a source of livelihood.
According to him, the process is carried out in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.
Source: NAN
I was so happy to go back to my country and reunite with my family
GENEVA, Switzerland, November 16, 2021 / APO Group / -Somalia is a key origin and transit country for migrants, although many of its nationals also return, sometimes due to unforeseen problems on major migration routes or in places of destination.
Since 2017, more than 950 Somalis have been assisted to return voluntarily under a program funded by the European Union, known as the Joint EU-IOM Initiative for the Protection and Reintegration of Migrants in the Horn of Africa (“the EU-IOM joint initiative”).
Support for stranded nationals allowed them to return home in safety and dignity. Among them was Fatima, 23, repatriated from Sudan and also a mother of a child. "I was so happy to return to my country and to be reunited with my family," she said. "Since I couldn't reach my destination country, which was Germany, there was no other reason for me to stay in Sudan."
Following a vulnerability assessment, returnees assisted under the joint EU-IOM initiative can be further supported to restore their lives to their communities of origin. Options include the possibility of enrolling in vocational training or being funded to set up a micro-enterprise.
Children are helped to enroll in school while returning communities can also be assisted in setting up initiatives that tackle some of the drivers of irregular migration.
More than 780 returnees have benefited from reintegration assistance since 2017.
One of these beneficiaries was Mohamed (26), a returnee from Libya, who chose to open a small store in Bosaso. He said he was familiar with this type of business and was doing well.
However, until now, there were no agreed national standards for the management and reintegration of migrants returning to Somalia. But that changed in early November when partners adopted guidelines for Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR), a process long supported by IOM.
The spearheading agreement on the guidelines was the Office of the Special Envoy (OSE) for the rights of migrants and children, which reports to the Office of the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia.
OSE is IOM's principal counterpart in Somalia at the strategic and political level and chairs the Return and Readmission Working Group (RRTF) which coordinates assistance to returnees and migrants at the federal and interstate level. members.
The RRTF is the main coordination mechanism for the main interventions of the Joint EU-IOM Initiative in Somalia.
With the agreement on national guidelines for AVRR, partners can now expect a coherent approach to the return and reintegration of vulnerable migrants and returnees.
Ambassador Mariam Yassin, Somalia's Special Envoy for Migration and Children's Rights, paid tribute to IOM and the EU for supporting the RRTF's consultations on SOPs. She said government buy-in was the most crucial element in the consultation process that dates back to 2018.
Richard Danziger, IOM's head of mission in Somalia, said the migration situation in Somalia, particularly in Puntland, required a strong government response, adding that SOPs would facilitate a coordinated response for various government institutions.
Puntland - particularly its port city of Bosaso - is the busiest sea crossing in the East and Horn of Africa and is mainly used by Ethiopian migrants seeking to travel to the Arabian Peninsula via Yemen.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Nigerian mission in Tripoli, succeeded on Tuesday in repatriating 162 Nigerians stranded in Libya.
Mr. Kabiru Musa, charge d'affaires of the Nigerian mission in Libya, revealed it in a statement made available to the Nigerian press agency Tuesday in Abuja.
According to Musa, the 162 repatriated Nigerians are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday via Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, and more will be evacuated in the coming weeks.
Musa said the evacuees included victims of human trafficking and irregular return migrants, who took Libya as a transit country, among others.
Musa said the repatriation exercise is part of IOM's voluntary humanitarian return to their countries of origin, some of whom have encountered problems of deprivation, loss of liberty, violation of their rights and ill-treatment.
He said IOM and the Nigerian Mission in Libya, supported by the Foreign Ministry, evacuated the stranded Nigerians after intervening to rescue them from Libyan detention centers.
He added that the move is part of the Nigerian government's efforts to ensure that none of its citizens remain stranded, illegally detained or abused in a foreign country.
“The evacuated Nigerians left Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli aboard a Buraq chartered plane at 10:00 pm local time and will arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday at 1:30 am Nigerian time.
“The Libyan authorities raided the residences of irregular migrants on October 1, as part of a massive crackdown on migrants staying illegally in the country.
“More than 4,000 foreigners, including vulnerable women and children, were arrested during the operation and held in overcrowded facilities.
“The Nigerian mission, as part of its consular responsibilities, intervened and secured the release of some of the Nigerians detained and subsequently requested IOM's assistance in their safe return to Nigeria.
“The repatriation exercise with the support and close cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, the Libyan authorities, IOM Libya and IOM Nigeria was conducted in full compliance with COVID- guidelines. 19.
“Upon arrival, returnees will be received in Nigeria, where they will have to spend a few days with the Organization before being transported to their various destinations.
“The most vulnerable among them will benefit from IOM's reintegration assistance,” Musa said.
Musa said prior to their departure he advised returnees and future irregular migrants to seek opportunities at home rather than risk their lives on a perilous journey in search of elusive greener pastures.
He said the Mission is committed to facilitating the return of many stranded migrants through the intervention of the federal government, as well as IOM's voluntary humanitarian return program.
He said another batch of 165 Nigerians would be returned to Nigeria from the eastern city of Benghazi, Libya, on November 4.
Source: NAN
The International Forum of Journalists for Migration (JIFORM) has applauded the impacts of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Nigerians over the past 20 years.
In a statement released Tuesday in Abuja, the chairman of JIFORM, the forum commended the management and staff of the United Nations agency for helping to improve migration policies and administration in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government signed a cooperation pact with IOM in 2001 on migration issues related to technical assistance, rehabilitation of returnees and returnees, migrant health services and the fight against trafficking in human beings.
According to JIFORM, “IOM's 20 years in Nigeria have improved several government agencies.
“Agencies that have improved include the Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Human Trafficking, the Nigerians Diaspora Commission and other non-governmental organizations, including JIFORM.
“The media have benefited enormously from various technical and knowledge exchanges through seminars and exposure to trainings for journalists inside and outside Nigeria. We say thank you for being our friend in need and indeed.
“Interventions in the northeast are well noted with provisions for internally displaced people.
"Thanks to the IOM assisted voluntary return and reintegration mechanism, many stranded Nigerian migrants have been saved from detention and slavery abroad, there are lives," he said. .
JIFORM also thanked IOM for giving hope to migrants stranded through compassion, rehabilitation and reintegration.
Abayomi added that IOM's psychosocial support was indeed remarkable as it provided real rehabilitation for returnees so that they could be fully integrated into society.
“JIFORM says a very big thank you for the opportunity to advance the careers of Nigerian journalists as well.
“Our collection of testimonials on IOM's good deeds is ongoing. We will continue to be your friend and development partner, '' JIFORM President said.
Source: NAN
As the International Organization for Migration (IOM) celebrates 20 years of operation in Nigeria, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, has described him as the backbone of the global body's humanitarian response. in the Northeast.
Speaking in a ceremony Monday evening, Kallon described the UN agency as a cardinal of all its humanitarian efforts in northeast Nigeria.
Kallon noted that during his time in Nigeria, he saw firsthand the impact of IOM's interventions in the northeast and with returning migrants.
So he said that a lot had been achieved over the years and that the feat needed celebration.
“I have seen IOM in action in complex humanitarian situations in Nigeria, I have also seen IOM in action to support the government on migration issues.
“IOM is the backbone of our humanitarian response in northeast Nigeria, which provides humanitarian assistance to more than 5.5 million people.
“I look around the camps I have passed through in northeast Nigeria and see these shelters built by IOM - I call them shelters of hope for people displaced by the insurgency.
“The history of governance and management of migration in Nigeria will not be complete without mentioning IOM, and the historical narrative of the humanitarian response in the North East will not be complete without IOM,” he said. he declared.
Chef de Mission Frantz Celestin, others as IOM cuts birthday cake to mark 20 years of operation in NigeriaHe recalled that he had visited Nigeria and that he had seen businesses created being supported by IOM, noting that those he spoke to had expressed their willingness to stay in Nigeria with the support received from the IOM. 'IOM.
He cautioned, however, that the occasion was not only an opportunity to soak up the euphoria of the accomplishments, but also an opportunity to reflect on the way forward.
“Today is a time to reflect, reflect and consider the way forward on how IOM should continue to support the efforts of the Nigerian government.
“It's time to build on its remarkable history and keep moving forward.
“I sincerely believe that with more support from government partners, IOM can do more,” he said.
While delivering a welcoming speech, IOM Chief of Mission Frantz Celestin recalled how the agency began operations in Nigeria from two offices at the UNICEF office.
He said that in 20 years the agency has come a long way and achieved some landmark achievements that deserve to be celebrated.
“We started with two offices in the UNICEF office 20 years ago. We have since grown to be where we are today.
It is a real testament to the strength of our colleagues and the work we do on a daily basis.
I really appreciate your presence, your support and your understanding - thank you for being you, thank you for being a great support for us in what we do, ”he said.
He thanked the Nigerian government as well as development partners for their support to the organization so far.
The event brought together ambassadors and high commissioners from many countries as well as representatives of Nigerian government officials.
A highlight of the event were the presentations that were saved in Libya and the Republic of Niger.
The returnees explained to the participants how they had been rehabilitated and supported to even start their own business.
One of them, Chylian Azu who was rescued from Libya, told a sad story of how she was tricked into coming overseas to greener pastures.
She said her family were unable to afford her graduate school fees due to the increase, forcing her to drop out in the end and start struggling with small businesses.
She recounted how she became a single mother and things got more difficult, which prompted her and her family to quickly jump at the offer to go abroad.
“They asked me to come, but we didn't know they were traffickers. I never knew the people I trusted didn't love me enough to protect me.
“I was arrested in Libya and I was locked up.
"Thanks to IOM, they came to my rescue and I agreed to go home because it was the best opportunity I have had," she said.
Miss Azu explained how IOM's support also pushed her to use her story to change people's mindset on migration and also to support other returnee women through her Women's Forum. returnees.
Source: NAN
IOM is committed to continuing to work with the Government of Niger and its partners at the highest level to continue to promote dignified and safe migration from, to and within Niger
NIAMEY, Niger, October 29, 2021 / Groupe APO / -The Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ugochi Daniels, today praised Niger's leadership in assisting vulnerable migrants, thousands of whom find themselves stranded in the country every year. West Africa.
“Niger is a champion country of the Global Compact for Migration and has demonstrated its leadership in promoting safe and regular migration by supporting vulnerable migrants in transit and responding to the needs of displaced people,” said Daniels, DDG for IOM operations.
"IOM is committed to continuing to work with the Government of Niger and its partners at the highest level to continue to promote dignified and safe migration from, to and within Niger."
Niger is facing multi-faceted humanitarian crises precipitated by the security situation along the borders with Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali, and climate change which is reducing available natural resources resulting in community conflicts, as well as migration. and internal displacement.
DDG Daniels, IOM Senior Regional Adviser for Sub-Saharan Africa, Aïssata Kane, and Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Christopher Gascon, began a three-day visit to Niger on Thursday. .
Niger also hosts many vulnerable and stranded migrants, mainly from other West African countries, who are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and assistance for return and reintegration with dignity into their homes. native country. In 2019 and 2020, IOM Niger facilitated the highest number of returns in the world, with 16,414 in 2019 and 9,069 in 2020, respectively, requiring strong collaboration and support from partners.
In 2021, IOM requested $ 121 million to meet the changing needs of an estimated 1.3 million people affected by the humanitarian crisis or at risk of displacement. To date, the Organization has less than half of these funds (47%).
Senior officials and partners will visit the IOM transit center in Agadez in the Sahara, a hub for West African migrants traveling to Libya, Algeria and Europe. In 2020 alone, the center welcomed 10,059 migrants, despite challenges related to COVID-19. Through its Migration Resource and Response Mechanism, and with the support of donors, in particular the European Union, IOM provides shelter, food, protection, medical and psychosocial assistance to migrants.
The Organization is also working closely with the Interior Ministry and consular sections of various West African countries to help migrants stranded with travel documents to enable them to return home, where they receive economic, social and psychosocial assistance. Between 2016 and 2021, approximately 71,000 migrants received direct assistance at one of IOM's six transit centers in Niger.
In addition, natural disasters, especially recurrent floods, wreak havoc in communities; during the last rainy season in Niger, between July and September, 238,078 people were affected by the floods. To date, around 150,000 of them have received shelter and non-food items assistance. It is estimated that 110,000 people will need assistance by the end of the year.
In Niger, the humanitarian-development-link approach is adopted to respond to immediate needs and also to tackle the factors of vulnerability and instability.
More than 10,000 migrants in Libya have requested voluntary humanitarian assistance upon return from IOM and have been waiting for months to return home
TRIPOLI, Libya, October 22, 2021 / APO Group / -The International Organization for Migration (IOM) resumed humanitarian flights from Libya after receiving permission from the Government of National Unity and safely returned a group of stranded Gambian migrants who are among thousands of others waiting to return home thanks to the IOM's Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) program.
Thursday's flight, carrying 127 people (117 men, five women, five children) from Misrata airport to the Gambian capital of Banjul, was the first since August 8, when all humanitarian flights were suspended by the Ministry of the Interior. The returnees included migrants who had been held in overcrowded detention centers and who had been waiting for months to return to their countries of origin.
“More than 10,000 migrants in Libya have requested voluntary humanitarian assistance upon return from IOM and have been waiting for months to return home,” said Federico Soda, IOM Chief of Mission in Libya. “It is extremely important that the government lifted the suspension as IOM's ORV program is essential for migrants who wish to leave Libya and return home in a safe, legal and dignified manner and rebuild their lives.
The return process is also supported by the countries of origin with which the pre-departure work in Libya is closely coordinated as well as the arrival of their nationals in the capitals. Prior to departure, returning migrants underwent health checks and received pre-departure transport assistance, counseling and protective screening. They were also given personal protective equipment and passed COVID-19 tests before boarding.
Libya has long been an important transit and destination country for migrants from different parts of Africa. Many find themselves stranded in the country with limited options to return home. Since 2015, more than 53,000 migrants have returned from Libya through the VHR program, funded by the European Union under the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for the Protection and Reintegration of Migrants and through the Fund for the migration of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We are grateful to the government for its commitment and partnership with IOM to provide assistance of this nature to migrants and help reduce the spread and impact of this disease.
DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti, October 19, 2021 / APO Group / -Migrants in Djibouti are vaccinated against COVID-19 for the first time, as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) works with the government to support the national vaccination effort.
Since the start of the global deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine, IOM has advocated for the inclusion of migrants and Djibouti is one of the first countries in the region to launch a campaign on their behalf. About 70 migrants have received vaccines since the start of the vaccination campaign on October 12 and it will continue at least until the end of the year.
This decision is a crucial step towards the protection and safeguarding of migrants in the East and Horn of Africa region, given that Djibouti is one of the main transit countries for tens of thousands of migrants. who try to leave the continent every year to find work, mainly in the Golf Country.
More than 112,000 migrants passed through Djibouti in 2020 according to the IOM's displacement monitoring matrix, despite the reduced mobility caused by the pandemic.
The country is also a destination for thousands of stranded migrants and for those fleeing conflict in Yemen. They often travel and live in crowded and makeshift environments, disproportionately exposing them to COVID-19 and other health risks. Migrants also often have little access to COVID-19 prevention tools, such as reliable information, masks, disinfectants, clean water and access to health services.
Migrants in Djibouti receive the vaccine at the Migration Response Center (MRC) in Obock, one of several in the region where people in difficulty are helped with shelter, food and health care, among other services. . Nearly 1,000 migrants requested and received support from the Obock MRC in the first half of this year.
"We called on the local population, including migrants, to actively participate in the vaccination campaign and reminded them that the vaccine remains the most effective way to protect themselves and those around them," said the mayor of Obock, Abdoulmalik Mohamed Banoita. .
IOM also works to counter the hesitations and misconceptions about immunization, by organizing awareness sessions in different languages.
"The inclusion of migrants in the deployment of the vaccine shows the commitment of the government of Djibouti to include some of the most vulnerable people in the country in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Stéphanie Daviot, head of mission of IOM in the country.
“We are grateful to the government for its commitment and partnership with IOM to provide assistance of this nature to migrants and help reduce the spread and impact of this disease. "
Djibouti has recorded more than 13,100 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 170 people have died since the start of the pandemic. Earlier this month, IOM, the Ministry of Health and other technical partners launched an accelerated vaccination campaign with the goal of immunizing 25 percent of Djibouti's population of around 1 million people. This target includes vulnerable population groups such as migrants and refugees.
The hope is that with the inclusion of migrants and communities on the move in the vaccine rollout, the number of cases and the negative impact of COVID-19 will be reduced.
IOM supports the Ministry of Health in its deployment of vaccination in the different regions of the country as part of the COVID-19 Strategic Response and Recovery Plan for the East and the Horn of Africa for 2021 and with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) of the US Department of State.
