The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the government of Sierra Leone and other partners has brought home 99 Sierra Leoneans that were stranding in Niger. The returnees left the shores of Sierra Leone, searching for green pasture else where, but there dreams ended up in the cold, as they were stocked in the Sahel region.
According to the IOM National Program Officer Mangay Sesay that amongst the 99 returnees, only one of them are female. He noted that it’s a relief to them to see such number of people returned to their country of origin, as they have a mandate and commitment to the Government with regards to such intervention.
He said these guys went on their own without any requisite travel documents, and falls under irregular travelers. He said IOM is against irregular migration.
Mr. Sesay said they noticed that these people were suffering between Algeria and Niger, and as a form of temporary relief, they decided to create a camp, for not only Sierra Leoneans immigrants but all other nationals.
He explained that they have been assembling these individuals for the past six months, courtesy of a rescue mission they have in the desert. They were supposed to have come with them in March but due to the coronavirus, they had to prolong it.
He said the nationality of the returnees was verified by a joint team including the Immigration Department, ONS and IOM.
A total of 100 Sierra Leoneans were supposed to come, but due to unavoidable circumstances, one was left out. “This isn’t the first time we are coming with these types of individuals.” The Program Officer said they have come with more than 500 Sierra Leoneans this year, as on a weekly basis they are receiving Sierra Leoneans from other countries.
Sesay maintained that there should be effective planning with regards to their reintegration package, noting that they will be trained on business skills before providing them with such support.
In his remarks the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Haji Kella describes the returnees as young people, with an average age of about 26 years. He said some of them have been in the Sahel for a year, while others have been there for over two years with the intention of travelling to Europe. He said they have now saw the need for them to come back home in order to continue their lives.
He said the expresses shared to him by the returnees are many which are all gloomy and sad. Amongst which were sexual abuses, human labour, and homelessness. He said the returnees are very apprehensive at the moment, noting that they just want to meet their families and friends.
He added that it’s there role to provide such space as a ministry. The returnees will be quarantined for four days, as they werewelcomed by the NERCOVEC Team in in order to see through the process. The returnees will be provided with psycho social support, and plans for resettlement package.
Sharing her experience, an anonymous victim noted that she underwent a lot of constraints. She said she was persuaded to go to Nigel, as things went bad for me in Nigel. But however she is happy to come back homeand meet her family including her child.
