EU-IOM Joint Initiative

for Migrant Protection and Reintegration

It was a procession that disrupted traffic and drew the attention of onlookers in Dire Dawa, a city in eastern Ethiopia near the Somali border.

An accompanying marching band belted out tunes as students held out placards and posters with messages in support of migrants and returnees.

Young people in Dire Dawa, like in many other cities in Ethiopia, are susceptible to irregular migration. They have the option of travelling to the coast through Bossaso in Somalia or via Obock, in Djibouti, about 450km away.

The festive atmosphere was meant to mark the fourth anniversary of the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in the Horn of Africa which is mainly focused on supporting migrants on key routes in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan.

Within its range of activities in Ethiopia the programme is assisting child returnees and street children in Dire Dawa in partnership with a local NGO, Positive Action for Development.

A football match held between students from two government schools was attended by the local youth who were exposed to messages on the dangers of irregular migration. Also shared was information on the process of reintegrating migrant returnees.

A few days later, students marched on the streets of Hossana, also in celebration of the anniversary, organised with assistance from Mary Joy Development Association.

Hossana is located within the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR). The state is home to a high number of returnees. Since June 2017, the EU-IOM Joint Initiative has assisted more than 3,000 returnees in the region.

A football match and track events thrilled crowds during the celebrations, along with performances. The EU-IOM Joint Initiative also donated books to five high schools which count on child returnees among their students.

One of the returnees participating in the celebrations was Desta Dolemo. "It’s been two years since I returned to Ethiopia. I have received business training and materials worth USD1000 to start up in the grain trade." He continued: "Now I support myself and others in my neighbourhood. I have experienced the dangers of irregular migration and I believe that it is possible to work in Ethiopia and change my life for the better."

Earlier on in the month, celebrations were held at the Migration Response Centre (MRC) in the coastal town of Obock, in Djibouti. Migrants enjoyed a day of activities, including a volleyball tournament and speeches from IOM partner agencies and NGOs. Migrants’ own testimonies and performances were used to highlight the risk of irregular migration.

In Sudan the commemoration was held at the Khartoum MRC which hosted leaders from the Ethiopian, Eritrean, Nigerien, Nigerian, Somali and Filipino communities in Khartoum. The event was an opportunity to share experiences and acknowledge the work done in support of vulnerable migrants since the onset of COVID-19, especially in providing emergency food support, medical assistance and voluntary return assistance to their countries of origin.

Historically, migrants in the Horn of Africa have primarily moved along three routes: the Eastern route through Yemen, the Middle East and beyond; the Northern route through Sudan, to Libya and on to Europe; and the Southern route through Kenya, Tanzania and further onwards to South Africa. Besides these routes, a very significant portion of the movements takes place within the Region.

The EU-IOM Joint Initiative in the Horn of Africa has to date committed over EUR 56 million providing for migrants in the region. Among the milestones celebrated is the support provided to over 12,000 vulnerable migrants, including children, to voluntarily return and re-establish their homes across the Horn of Africa. 

Forty community projects targeting a total of 217,000 individuals are earmarked while four migration specialists have been seconded to the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development.

For more information contact the IOM Regional Office in Nairobi: Julia Hartlieb, email: jhartlieb@iom.int; Wilson Johwa, email: wjohwa@iom.int or Helina Mengistu in Ethiopia, email: hmengistu@iom.int