Dakar, 07 October 2024 – A regional workshop brought together government representatives from Sub Saharan African countries for two days to focus on strengthening National Referral Mechanisms (NRM) for the protection of stranded migrants and returnees. This event, organized under the European Union-funded Migrant Protection Return and Reintegration in Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA) programme, took place from 02 to 03 October 2024. It focused on developing strategies to enhance collaboration and improve services for migrants both along key migration routes as well as in their countries of origin.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Shauna Cameron, Senior Regional Programme Coordinator for the programme welcomed participants from national authorities highlighting that “the establishment of National Referral Mechanisms is crucial for strengthening our collective response to migrant protection’’. “By fostering collaboration among stakeholders, we can build resilient systems that not only respond to the immediate needs of migrants but also promote their long-term reintegration and well-being”, she added.

The workshop centered on operationalizing NRMs and emphasized the importance of coordination between governmental and non-governmental entities to provide critical services, including legal assistance, healthcare, psychosocial support, training opportunities, and shelter. Participants discussed best practices and laid the groundwork for developing country-level and regional roadmaps, which will outline actionable steps toward establishing sustainable and scalable NRM frameworks.

Mr. Mbodou Seid, Director General of Chadians Abroad at the ministry of foreign affairs reiterated the “role of States as the primary duty-bearers responsible for protecting people within their jurisdiction, with international organizations and local actors providing crucial support”. A critical component of the discussions was the emphasis on a whole-of-society and whole-of government approach, recognizing that holistic responses require the meaningful engagement of a whole range of stakeholders. Participants explored how to leverage partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that protection and reintegration efforts are comprehensive and impactful.

Key challenges raised included gaps in service access in rural and conflict-affected areas, as well as limited psychosocial support services, and disparities in the implementation of referral mechanisms across the continent. Participants highlighted the need for enhanced local capacity building and greater involvement of community-based actors to address these gaps and ensure continuity of services for returning migrants.

The workshop also featured presentations on the findings of a regional mapping of referral partners, underscoring the need for an interconnected approach to reintegration encompassing economic, psychosocial, and social dimensions. With 12 out of 16 countries already mapped and over 1,600 actors identified, participants discussed strategies to bridge gaps in service provision, particularly in remote areas.

“In Senegal, under the MPRR-SSA sustainability strategy, we successfully validated the Standard Operating Procedures and Terms of Reference for the Returnee National Referral Mechanism, bringing together state and non-state actors to enhance economic, social, and psychosocial reintegration in Senegal. This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to creating effective pathways for returnees to reintegrate successfully into society”, said Mr. Amath Diop, representative of the Directorate General of Support for Senegalese Abroad (DGASE) of the Ministry of African Integration and Foreign Affairs (MIAAE).

As the event concluded, participants emphasized the importance of continued training, technical support, and cross-border cooperation in building stronger, more effective NRMs. The outcomes of this workshop will contribute to ongoing efforts to improve migrant protection and reintegration not only under the MPRR-SSA programme, but even beyond its implementation.

The MPRR-SSA covers Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Somalia, and Sudan. Implemented by IOM, it plays a critical role in enhancing migration governance, fostering sustainable reintegration, and facilitating durable solutions for migrants in Sub Saharan Africa. 

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For more information, please contact:

Mamadou DIAKHABY, IOM Regional Office for West and Central Africa, mdiakhaby@iom.int