Nouakchott – Under IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programme, and with the financial support of the European Union (EU), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) facilitated the voluntary return of 216 Sierra Leonean migrants stranded in Mauritania on 31 May and 7 June 2022.

The socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 epidemic have had a significant impact on migrants’ livelihoods in Mauritania and the West African region, where intra-regional mobility is high. Border closures for months and the regular disruption of routes from Nouakchott to Freetown have led to a deterioration in the situation of some 1,500 Sierra Leonean nationals in Mauritania.  

This includes female heads of households with young children, unaccompanied children, families, and young men who have come to Mauritania to work or receive religious education, or to try to reach Europe. In addition, the majority of these migrants did not have legal documents allowing them to return to Sierra Leone.

“Despite the solidarity of the migrant and Mauritanian communities in these hard times, the deteriorating economic situation in the country and difficulties of integration with respect to this community, which is mostly English-speaking, have put these migrants in a vulnerable situation. Returning to Sierra Leone, where they will benefit from a strong family network, is the solution they themselves have chosen,” says Laura Sisniega, IOM Mauritania Protection Officer.

In a bid to prepare the migrants for the two specially chartered flights, IOM has assisted them with administrative procedures, health care, psychosocial support and access to PCR testing for COVID-19. Upon arrival, the migrants will be assisted by IOM Sierra Leone to return to their final destination with their relatives.

“IOM Sierra Leone is dedicated to ensuring the dignified return and reintegration of these Sierra Leonean migrants, whilst intensifying our efforts in rolling out initiatives to address the drivers of irregular migration in Sierra Leone. We work closely with government authorities and partners to deliver operational results in this regard,” says Dr James Bagonza, Head of office at IOM Sierra Leone.

A full counselling on the reintegration assistance process will also be carried out. This assistance, received after a vulnerability screen will allow for a tailored response to the needs of each individual.

“Our food, medical and voluntary return programmes help migrants to overcome their vulnerability. Reintegration is the most effective way to help migrants rebuild their lives,” confirms Shauna Cameron, IOM’s Governance Programme Officer in Mauritania.

The voluntary returns were made possible under the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration, funded by the EU. Direct assistance, support for voluntary return as well as reintegration in the country of origin and psychosocial follow-up are the main support channels implemented by the European Union and IOM to preserve migrants’ dignity and safety. 

For more information, please contact Laura Sisniega : lsisniega@iom.int. For media enquiries, Ciré LY : caly@iom.int