INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION Regional Office for West and Central Africa NEWSLETTER N 8 / May - September 2014 Women s reconcilation, CAR, 2014 / IOM IN THIS EDITION IOM contributes to the prevention of Ebola disease spread in West Africa Conflict prevention in Eastern Mauritania through the development of integrated farms IOM supports Kedougou health District, in Senegal, in the fight against AIDS Presentation of the study on the phenomenon of the trafficking in persons in Chad Two experts from the Congolese diaspora contribute their skills to their country development IOM supports the initiative of the government of Burkina Faso for the contribution of the Diaspora to the socio-economic development IOM supports a study visit by a Togolese delegation in Morocco Workshop on the protection of migrant workers in Nigeria Humanitarian assistance to returnees from CAR in Chad The African Union supports the emergency operations undertaken by IOM Chad Visit by the Director of the Department of operations and emergencies for IOM in Chad Newly elected SRSG for Central Africa visits IOM Gaoui transit site in N'Djamena The government of Niger recognizes IOM initiatives from 2009 to 2013 Fourth IOM Global Chiefs of Mission meeting takes place in Geneva IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa - Dakar Page 1
IOM CONTRIBUTES TO THE PREVENTION OF EBOLA DISEASE SPREAD IN WEST AFRICA IOM conducted assessments in Mali, Senegal and Ivory Coast to support social mobilization at the community level in the border areas and provide support to health and border authorities in neighboring Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. BUILDING RESILIENCE AT COMMUNITY LEVEL IN THE SAHEL REGION Conflict prevention in Eastern Mauritania through the development of integrated farms In collaboration with the Mauritanian government, and with financial support from Japan, IOM has developed several farms gathering poultry activities, market gardening and fish farming, in the town of Beretoume, east of Mauritania. MIGRANT ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION IOM supports Kedougou health District, in Senegal, in the fight against AIDS With financial support from the IOM Development Fund (IDF) IOM Dakar presented the results of a study on the vulnerability of sex workers (SW) to STI/AIDS on July 22, in Kedougou. The study highlighted the fact that: The vast majority of sex workers in Kedougou are young women, mainly coming from Nigeria ; Sex workers are a vulnerable group (due to their activities) with AIDS, particularly sex workers who are minors and not registered with the local health authorities (and cannot therefore benefit from any medical assistance) ; Condoms are almost systematically used with paying partners, but only 76% of the sex workers regularly use it with their non-paying partners ; The majority of sex workers is well informed about HIV and STIs ; The vast majority is able to obtain the services of prevention and care they need ; Many sex workers require protection services and social support, as well as other programs that address their needs. Fish farming in Beretoume, 2014 / IOM more than 31 year old: 10% less than 21 year old: 10% By generating sources of income, and through the establishment of joint committees, the project directly contributes to the improvement of the relations between Mauritanian local communities and Malian refugees. It also contributes to strengthen their resilience reducing their vulnerability in the context of food insecurity in the Sahel. from 26 to 30 year old: 30% from 21 to 25 year old: 50% Age of SW in Kedougou, August 2014 1 / IOM-Ministry of Health and Social Action The project has also helped strengthen the community capacity for surveillance and response of the Senegalese Red Cross in the Kedougou Health District, through activities of identification and training for community health workers, social mobilization, and voluntary HIV and ISTs screening, for both local population and migrants. Plantations of mint in Beretoume, 2014 / IOM 1 From «Assessment of the determinants of the female sex workers vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in Kedougou» - IOM IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa - Dakar Page 2
The first expert has been assigned to the Direction of health information systems to help develop the 2014 yearbook health. The second expert has been assigned to hospitals in Brazzaville to train staff on technical and organizational audit procedures. Other missions in the area of higher education are planned. Workshop, Kedougou, July 2014 / IOM A workshop to present the study s results gathered the Governor, Prefects from Saraya and Kedougou, mayors, doctors, executive teams from the districts and regions, NGO representatives, associations and mining companies in the Kedougou area. Presentation of the study on the phenomenon of the trafficking in persons in Chad The study, developed within the framework of the project «Strengthening the capacity of Chad to prevent and combat the trafficking in persons» funded by the US State Department, was presented in N Djamena, on 9 June 2014 to representatives of government institutions, UN agencies and civil society. IOM supports the initiative of the government of the Burkina Faso for the contribution of the Diaspora to the socio-economic development Within the framework of the project «Research and capacity building for the strategic management of migration in Burkina Faso and the Burkinabe Diaspora», funded by IDF, a retreat was held in Koudougou, Burkina Faso, from 25 to 27 June 2014. This event was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional cooperation, in order to develop a more proactive approach to managing migration (national politics, Diaspora, migration and development, remittances, reintegration, etc.). This project helped more than 70 victims of trafficking and contributed to strengthen the capacity of 100 officers of the security forces and 20 local organizations. Retreat in Koudougou, June 2014 / IOM Representatives from various ministries, organizations of civil society, banks, financial institutions and universities, attended the retreat. IOM supports a study visit by a Togolese delegation in Morocco Presentation of the Study, N Djamena, June 2014 / IOM LABOUR MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT Two experts from the Congolese diaspora contribute their skills to their country development Accompanied by IOM Togo and IOM Morocco, a delegation from the Direction of the Togolese from outside (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation) went to Rabat in June, to visit the structures involved in the management of migrations and diaspora in Morocco. M. Akondzo, statistician, and M. Nsimba, logistician, are the first two qualified Congolese experts living in France to have benefited from the implementation of the project «Capacity building for the strategic development of the Congolese Diaspora», funded by the IDF. Exchange of experiences, Morocco, June 2014 / IOM IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa - Dakar Page 3
At the initiative of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad, this visit was a good opportunity to share experiences within the framework of the project Capacity building for the strategic management of migrations in Togo and the diaspora, funded by the IDF. The purpose of these meetings was to promote migrants integration in their country of destination and to enhance their contribution to the economic development of their country of origin. This initiative also aims at encouraging the creation of a common framework for discussions on migrations between African countries. Indeed, Nigeria has a large Diaspora working in the health and education sectors across the globe, as observed through the earlier conducted mapping of Nigerians by IOM in the US, the United Kingdom and South Africa. The mapping will also assist the Nigerian National Volunteer Service in identifying Nigerians in the Diaspora who are willing to contribute their skills and competencies towards national development. 70% 60% 50% Workshop on the protection of migrant workers in Nigeria In partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, a one day workshop took place in Abuja in July 2014, within the framework of the project Promoting better management of migration in Nigeria, funded by the EU. 40% 30% 20% 10% Male Female Its overall objective was to increase level of awareness amongst stakeholders on the importance and mechanisms for the protection of migrant workers in and from Nigeria. The workshop brought together key Nigerian stakeholders comprising of central ministerial agencies, social partners, employers organizations, international organizations, and research institutes, whom stressed the need to: Promote and protect the rights of migrant workers, in accordance with international laws ; Develop mechanisms for managing migration flows ; Strengthen cooperation between the governments of origin and destination countries. The primary role of the social partners in the protection of migrant workers rights has been particularly highlighted. Participants also encouraged the ratification of the Convention on Migrant Workers by the Federal Council of Nigeria, especially considering the importance of the Nigerian diaspora. 0% Education Health Percentage of Nigerian working in education and health areas in UK willing to contribute their skills in Nigeria 2 RESPONSE TO MIGRATION CRISES Humanitarian assistance to returnees from CAR in Chad In collaboration with the Humanitarian Country Team, and with the authorization of the Chadian government, IOM has built 317 emergency shelters (including 10 community shelters and 307 family shelters) in Djako, Moundou, in Chad, especially to accommodate the thousands of Chadian returnees from CAR, assisted by IOM from June to August 2014. This assistance was made possible through funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the inkind donation of tarpaulins and blankets provided by the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot, through the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in Chad. Workshop on the protection of migrant workers, Abuja, July 2014 / IOM 2 Mai 2014 / Mapping of Nigerian Health and Education Professionals in the United Kingdom EU-IOM IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa - Dakar Page 4
Newly elected SRSG for Central Africa visits IOM Gaoui transit site in N djamena The new SRSG and UNOCA Head of Office, Professor Abdoulaye Bathily, met with several senior government officials, including the President of the Republic of Chad and the members of the United Nations Country Team, in Chad, from 16 to 19 June 2014. Shelters, Chad, July 2014/ IOM The SRSG also visited, along with IOM, the Gaoui temporary site, in N'Djamena, to see the difficulties faced by displaced people and expressed his concern over the situation. The African Union supports the emergency operations undertaken by IOM Chad In the context of the CAR crisis, the African Union has granted US $ 100,000 to IOM during a ceremony which took place 22 May 2014, in N'Djamena, in the presence of the head of Delegation of the African Union (AU) and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This funding strengthens the cooperation between IOM and the AU to respond to humanitarian crises on the African continent. Visit by the Director of the Department of operations and emergencies for IOM in Chad On 9-10 June 2014, M. Abdiker, the Emergency Director, met with the Prime Minister, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African integration, Ambassadors from the US, Germany, South Africa, European Union and representatives of OCHA, UNHCR and ECHO, in N Djamena. The visit highlighted the concern of IOM about the future of returnees who have no more links with their families and are accommodated in the three transit sites in the country (in Danamadji and Maigaman in the South, and in Gaoui in N'Djamena) and the need to support their socio-economic reintegration. Visit of the SRSG M. A.Bathily, Gaoui, Juin 2014 / IOM The government of Niger recognizes IOM actions from 2009 to 2013 On 26 August 2014, Ms Abibatou Wane, IOM Niger Head of Mission,, was awarded Niger s Order of Merit (Knight) by Ms Sani Mariama Moussa, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Nigeriens Abroad. This award recognizes the actions led by IOM in Niger between 2009 and 2013, including: The assistance to 63,000 Nigerien returnees from Libya or Algeria, as well as other African nationals deported to Niger; The relocation of 13,000 Malian refugees in Niger; The assistance to 1100 Nigerien returnees from CAR; The support (food aid, shelter, care, transport) to people from Diffa, victims of flood and overwhelmed by the influx of returnees and refugees fleeing violence in Nigeria; Visit of M. Abdiker, Chad, June 2014 / IOM IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa - Dakar Page 5
The support to set up an Information and Orientation Office for Nigerien from abroad. The Minister presenting the award to Ms Wane, Niger, August 2014 / IOM FOURTH IOM GLOBAL CHIEFS OF MISSION MEETING TAKES PLACE IN GENEVA From the 7 th to the 10 th September 2014, the 4 th Global Chiefs of mission meeting took place in Geneva, to enhance the human and orderly management of migration. High level discussions have been combined with the interventions of eminent speakers such as former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström, Director of Global Forecasting and Director of Public Policy, Economist Intelligence Unit Leo Abruzzese, and Director of the Leadership Programme at the Cranfield School of Management Andy Logan. 13 Chiefs of Mission and Heads of Offices participated from the West and Central Africa region. During the three days meeting a special regional session was organized to discuss IOM involvement into the Ebola prevention with health/humanitarian border management initiatives. Bureau régional pour l Afrique de l Ouest et du Centre Route des Almadies Zone 3 BP 16838 Dakar-Fann Sénégal Chiefs of mission, Geneva, September 2014 / IOM Tél +221 33 869 62 00 Fax +221 33 869 62 33 Email : rodakar@iom.int Internet : www.rodakar.iom.int IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa - Dakar Page 6