EU-IOM Joint Initiative

for Migrant Protection and Reintegration

Ahead of the International Migrants Day, on 5December 2020, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) organized a community festival for Nigerian children and adult migrants in Egypt.

The event was held in Cairo in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization, Egypt chapter and tackled a spectrum of topics, including counter-trafficking, COVID-19, mental health and psychosocial support and environmental awareness.

A total of 75 people attended the festival. Participants were exposed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and were given the opportunity to discuss each goal’s objective. The session highlighted gender equality (SDG5) and shed the light on the UN System's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence activities.

As the folklore of every country is the embodiment of its culture, the Nigerian children were given the opportunity to showcase their heritage through a fashion show, cultural dances, and songs.

“The event was educative, encouraging, inspiring and mental awakening,” a participate wrote in an evaluation form that was distributed by IOM at the end of the event. 

More than 80 percent of the attendees were very satisfied and around 20 percent were satisfied with the event, according to an evaluation survey that was distributed and completed by all the participants. Around 28 percent of the participants were very interested in the MHPSS session followed by 23% interested in the UN sustainable development goals session and the debate activity that was organized between the attendees. Worth to mention, that 23% were interested in all presented sessions.

The festival was organized with funding from the European Union through the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in North Africa and Dutch government.

Physical distancing and COVID-19 precautions were followed to ensure the safety of all the participants.