EU-IOM Joint Initiative

for Migrant Protection and Reintegration

Algiers, Algeria– This week (30/11), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) assisted seventy-five migrants from Cameroon, Republic Democratic of Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to return home safely from Algeria through a special voluntary return organized thanks to the crucial support of the Government of Algeria and in coordination with countries of origin.

This flight stands as the sixth voluntary return movement facilitated by IOM in the past five months amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 20 women, 49 men, 6 children (2 boys and 4 girls) were on board. IOM staff joined the returnees to provide operational escort services. 

The flight departed from Algiers’ Houari Boumediene International Airport and reached the Cameronian capital Yaoundé its final destination. Migrants residing outside Cameroon were connected through commercial flights and arrived in their respective countries.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 and related travel restrictions, the socio-economic situation of many migrants was impacted. Migrants reached out to IOM and their respective embassies or received assistance through remote consular service facilitated by IOM in absence of permanent diplomatic representations, to request administrative and financial assistance to return home and reunite with their families. Most of them had been waiting for departure since the month of March.

To ensure that migrants residing in all parts of the country have the chance to return home, inland transportation was provided to the departure point of Algiers. IOM run transit facility (DARV), a structure provided by the Algerian government, accommodated the migrants before their departure. The inland movement, mandatory PCR testing and exit procedure were coordinated with relevant Algerian authorities, which significantly eased the process.

IOM staff in Algeria followed COVID-19 prevention and hygiene measures in line with international, national and IOM standards including medical checks prior to and during travel, mandatory COVID-19 PCR test five days prior to the flight, the distribution of COVID-19 prevention kits, including information, education and communication materials.

Upon arrival to their respective countries, migrants will be received by IOM staff at the airport and benefit from assistance on arrival, including protection and medical services, before returning to their communities of origin.

In the following weeks, eligible returnees will receive socio-economic reintegration assistance including medical and psychosocial support, educational and vocational training, support for housing and other basic needs, as well as the set-up of income generating activities to ensure a sustainable reintegration into the origin communities, depending on the needs and the will of the returnees.

The return assistance was made possible with support from the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.