For all people in transit in Agadez, here is an article on the different interventions of the International Organization for Migration in the area.
Why is this article important to you? It gives you all the information about IOM's food and non-food assistance, once-in-the-center accommodation, assisted voluntary return, and many more.
The entrance of an IOM migrant reception center in Agadez, Niger
The International Organization for Migration, IOM, advises several governments as well as non-governmental partners on issues concerning migrants, internally displaced persons, and refugees.
How does the organization work in Niger and what kind of work does it do?
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is unquestionably the main intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. It was founded in 1951 and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. Since 2016, IOM has become an affiliated organization at the United Nations.
As a related organization, IOM supports migrants around the world, developing effective responses to the changing dynamics of migration and working in emergency situations, building the resilience of all people on displacement, especially those in vulnerable situations, as well as building the capacity of governments to manage all forms and impacts of mobility.
The Organization is guided by the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including the protection of human rights for all. Respect for the rights, dignity and well-being of migrants remains paramount.
Who are the beneficiaries?
IOM's assistance includes:
- Persons whose application for asylum has been rejected or withdrawn;
- Migrants in distress;
- Victims of trafficking, and
- Other groups, including unaccompanied migrant children or those with health needs.
In Niger, IOM's mission is implementing several activities:
- Humanitarian Rescue / Search and Rescue Operations: Since October 2016, IOM has been assisting migrants in distress through humanitarian operations in the Agadez region.
- Direct assistance to migrants: the International Organization for Migration provides direct assistance to migrants in its six transit centers located in Niger, in Niamey (3), Agadez (1), Arlit (1) and Dirkou (1). The centers are open, and the stay is voluntary. On-site assistance includes food, water, shelter, medical and psychosocial assistance.
- Protection: IOM aims to ensure that the rights of migrants, displaced persons and the most affected local communities are protected and that their needs are met, regardless of their nationality, age, gender, physical condition, or religious affiliation.
- Migrants assisted through Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) and
- Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR): IOM assists all migrants, both notional and interactional, who wish to return home. The implementation of the assisted voluntary return and reintegration programme relies on the cooperation and participation of a significant number of actors such as the Governments of the countries of origin, consulates, and embassies.
- Reintegration Assistance: it aims to enable returnees to achieve economic self-sufficiency, social resilience within their communities and psychosocial well-being enabling them to cope with the factors of (re)migration. The success of sustainable reintegration will allow them to make migration decisions as a matter of choice rather than out of necessity.
For example, IOM even provides training to enable migrants to embark on working life with great ease. These trainings cover several themes such as agriculture, business management, etc.
- Awareness raising: IOM implements regular outreach activities through its four guidance offices located in Agadez, Arlit, Dirkou and Niamey and its more than 50 community mobilizers. Through these discussions, the mobilizers raise awareness among migrants and local communities about irregular migration and its alternatives (condition of access to transit centers, information on migration routes, IOM's mandate).
- Monitoring migration flows
- Capacity building in Migration Management for the Government of Niger
For more information, please visit the IOM website: https://niger.iom.int/fr
For any questions:
- Contact us on our Facebook page Sheega.info Monday to Thursday from 8am to 5.45pm and Fridays from 8am to 1pm.
- You can also call us at these same times on our toll-free numbers 92 90 55 55 or 98 31 38 24