Freetown- The International Organization for Migration held a 3-day (7-9/22) capacity-building workshop on Human Mobility in the context of disasters, climate change, environmental degradation, and disaster risk reduction.

The workshop was facilitated by IOM Sierra Leone and a team of experts from the Migration, Environment, and Climate Change (MECC) Division of IOM Headquarters and Dakar.

The training aimed at providing Government officials working on migration/environmental issues with an understanding of Human Mobility in the context of Climate Change, Disasters and Environmental Degradation. It also offered Government Officials the opportunity to strengthen their capacities in identifying solutions both at the national and regional levels.

Speaking during the workshop, the Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Mr. John V. Rogers whilst emphasizing the importance of the training said that Issues around Climate change, disaster risk reduction and migration are very key, so they take disaster management as a very important concept to protect people in the country. He further explained that they have realized over time that, there is an increase in sea level rise. “Rise in sea levels is affecting islands in Sierra Leone, certain islands in Sierra Leone are almost melting away and there will come a time when we begin to have climate refugees in the country” he added.

The NDMA Deputy Director Further pointed out Yeliboya island which is a major ground where the livelihood of People is tied down to fishing. He said it is clear now that 60% of the island is given away to the sea.

“In all of this, how we can tie ourselves to risk reduction against the backdrop of the fact that some level of cooperation has to take place? So that is why our cooperation and strategic partnership with IOM to address issues related to environmental migration is very important” he stated.

In his statement, the Head of Programmes at IOM Sierra Leone, Ludvik Girard said that IOM is piloting a Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Integrated Human Mobility Assessment Tool in Sierra Leone and that the training was delivered under this initiative which is being supported under the framework of IOM’s regional project, ‘Implementing Global Policies on Environmental Migration and Disaster Displacement in West Africa” with funds from the Government of France’.

“We look forward to supporting and building upon the strategic partnerships with our governmental partners on these issues," said Ludvik.

For more information, please contact Alfred Fornah, Communications and Public Relations Assistant at IOM Sierra Leone, Email: afornah@iom.int