EU-IOM Joint Initiative

for Migrant Protection and Reintegration

Lemlem* has never been to school. In 2019, the then 15-year-old left her home village in Oromia region’s Deder district, with the aim of reaching Saudi Arabia through Djibouti. But the journey was cut short when she was caught and detained in Djibouti. Luckily, with support from the European Union, she is now benefitting from socio-psychological care.

In her own words

My name is Lemlem. I am 16-years-old. I was born and grew up in Deder. Unfortunately, I have never been to school and, as a result, I could not find a job here. Therefore, I thought the only way to support my family and myself was to leave the country. Until then, I had seen many young people who had migrated from here to other parts of the world supporting their families and themselves. That is why my friends and I were motivated to leave.

In 2019, along with five of my friends, we first travelled to Dire Dawa town by bus. We then continued our journey to Djibouti along the desert with little to eat. We travelled for more than five days on foot. Two of my friends died from exhaustion, starvation and thirst in the desert before we could reach Djibouti border. When we finally reached the border, the guards caught us and immediately sent us to prison. After three months of suffering, we were able to return to our country, thanks to the European Union and the International Organization for Migration.

I still suffer from the trauma of that difficult time and I have a lot of stress. Before leaving the country, I was healthy. However, since I returned home, I have been feeling unwell and mentally unstable. I am currently receiving treatments from Save the Children with help of my brother. As soon as I returned home, I went to my hometown first, but my stepmother did not welcome me and I immediately moved to Dire Dawa to live with my brother.

Four months ago, Save the Children’s case management staff contacted me and asked me about my situation. Since then, I have been receiving close support and care from them. They provided me with counselling, psychosocial help, and healthcare. Due to their support, I see significant improvements in my health, and I gained a better understanding of the dangers of irregular migration. This is why, like many other young people in my village, I came to the decision not to get involved in irregular migration anymore.

How is Lemlem and other returnees being assisted?

With funding from the European Union, the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in the Horn of Africa supports Save the Children is working with young people like Lemlem in the Eastern Hararghe zones of Oromia Regional State. This is aimed at preventing irregular migration, while also  supporting returnees and other vulnerable children, with support from the woreda Women, Children and Youth Affairs office.

*Name changed to protect her identify