Organisation Launches Project to Improve Migration Management in Nigeria

The International Organisation for Migration, IOM, in collaboration with the Edo State Government has launched a new project to improve migration management through development.

The 24-month project entitled “Managing Migration Through Development, MMDP 2.0 with a focus on Edo State.” is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The new project builds on the foundation laid by Migration Management Development program, MMDP 1.0 which enacted the anti-human trafficking law and established the Edo State taskforce against human trafficking, ETAHT in 2018.

The  project will provide comprehensive reintegration, complementary assistance, and livelihood support to 225 returning migrants, vulnerable and unemployed youth in the State.

It also includes protection and shelter assistance to vulnerable migrants including victims of trafficking.

The project will strengthen strategies and digital campaigns that are aimed at preventing human trafficking and irregular migration in Edo state.

IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boeck, said “Our goal, through this project, is to reinforce existing community development initiatives by placing migrants and potential migrants at the centre of the project thus curbing irregular migration in the state,”

Across West and Central Africa, IOM’s return, and reintegration focus on a ‘whole government approach aimed at encouraging strong partnership and relationship among the international community, the government, the civil society organisation, and the media in addressing irregular migration and providing sustainable reintegration to retuned migrants and their communities.

Since April 2017, IOM has facilitated returns of over 29,000 stranded Nigerian migrants from different transit and destination countries out of which 46% of those returned voluntarily accounts for Edo state.

On this, Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo, said “The objective of this 2-year project is to support and cooperate with Edo State government in strengthening its socio economic capacity, to provide skills and education to return migrants, vulnerable categories and to prevent human trafficking by supporting economic, social growth and development.

“These partnerships are increasingly important tools to tackle challenges in the long term”.

One of the returned migrant Abieyuwa, shares her experience. “When I returned in 2017, things were very difficult but thanks to IOM that organized business skills training and assisted me to set up a building materials shop. The shop has really helped me, with this new project, I will further expand the business and employ youths from the community to work with me, I am glad that I am going to contribute in my own way by employing and training others to be self-sufficient”.

The project builds on the previous and current IOM implemented projects funded by the European Union, (EUTF-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration), Strengthening Direct Assistance through a Victim Centred Approach by United Kingdom Home office and (Cooperation On Migration And Partnerships To Achieve Sustainable Solutions (COMPASS) by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Confidence Okwuchi