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Consular Mission to Niger Strengthens Protection of Gambian Migrants
Format
Posted: 02/05/21
Themes: Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration
Niamey – Since 2017, over 1,600 Gambian migrants stranded in Niger have returned home with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Niger, in fact, was the top country of returning migrants to The Gambia in both 2019 and 2020.
However, the voluntary return process of Gambians in Niger to their home country continues to be a challenge as many Gambian don t have a passport or other travel documents when they arrive in Niger. As the Government of The Gambia doesn t have a consulate or embassy in Niamey, this poses many problems for Gambian nationals to travel back. In addition, the mobility restrictions brought by COVID-19 have left many migrants stranded in Niger, including Gambians which prompted the first-ever consular mission by a delegation of The Gambian government to Niger aimed at better understanding the
Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration
Niamey – Since 2017, over 1,600 Gambian migrants stranded in Niger have returned home with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Niger, in fact, was the top country of returning migrants to The Gambia in both 2019 and 2020.
However, the voluntary return process of Gambians in Niger to their home country continues to be a challenge as many Gambian don’t have a passport or other travel documents when they arrive in Niger. As the Government of The Gambia doesn’t have a consulate or embassy in Niamey, this poses many problems for Gambian nationals to travel back. In addition, the mobility restrictions brought by COVID-19 have left many migrants stranded in Niger, including Gambians which prompted the first-ever consular mission by a delegation of The Gambian government to Niger aimed at better understanding the situation and addressing the needs of their nationals.
IOM, Migrants in Vulnerable Situations
Dakar – A study conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on the impact of indebtedness on returnee migrants in six West African countries reveals that 68 per cent are in debt, while over two-thirds characterize either the shame or burden of their indebtedness as a hindrance to their reintegration in their home communities.
As migration becomes increasingly hazardous and costly, many migrants take out loans and incur debt from relatives and friends to finance their journey. On a personal level –social and psychological– many of those surveyed cited feelings of anxiety, failure, social isolation and fear of not being able to repay their obligations.