The Volume 14 Issue 4 November 2016

YEARS International Organization for Migration MigrantIOM Special Liaison Office, Addis Ababa Quarterly Newsletter IOM Relocates 40,000 S.Sudanese Refugees to Decongest Border Site

Inside IOM Becomes UN Migration Regional Committee on Mixed IOM Conducts Community Agency Migration for Horn of Africa, Conversation Facilitators Yemen Meets in Addis Ababa Training in Jimma Zone IOM Assists Over 550 Ethiopian Madonna Backs USAIM, IOM Effort Business Start-up Kits Distributed Returnees from Djibouti to Reunite Ethiopian unaccompanied to Eritrean Refugees and Host migrant Children with their Families Communities www.ethiopia.iom.int twitter.com/IOMEthiopia facebook.com/iomsloet The Migrant News IOM Becomes UN Migration Agency

New York – 25 September 2016 issues in the humanitarian, development, Member States unanimously endorsed the human rights, climate change and peace and process to join the UN. “The signature of this IOM’s collaboration with the United Nations security domains. historic agreement brings the leading global has always been close, but became even more migration agency, International Organization so when IOM joined the UN in September. As At the United Nations Summit on Large for Migration (IOM) – into the United Nations the leading inter-governmental agency in its Movements of Refugees and Migrants – the culmination of a 65-year relationship. field of specialization, IOM can now work in which took place on 19 September in New For the very first time in 71 years, the UN now partnership with the United Nations on a York, IOM Director General William Lacy has a ‘UN Migration Agency’,” Ambassador broad range of migration-related issues. and UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon Swing said, adding, “This is a singular honour signed a document linking IOM to the UN as for our Organization – and a genuine success This will help ensure that the issues one of its related organizations. This event surrounding the world’s international for migrants and Member States and indeed signalled the culmination of a process that for this Summit.” migrants are well addressed, including began in earnest in June 2016 when IOM

Editorial The IOM Mission IOM SLO Addis Communication Group Editor/Designer: Alemayehu Seifeselassie IOM is committed to the principle that humane and Copy editor: Rikka Tupaz orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As the leading international organization for migration, IOM acts with partners in the international community to: International Organization for Migration • Assist in meeting the growing operational challenges Special Liaison Office (SLO) in Addis Ababa of migration management P.O. Box 25283 Code 1000 Addis Ababa • Advance understanding of migration issues Tel +251 116 611 097/98 • Encourage social and economic development Fax +251 116 611 101 Email: [email protected] www.iom.int www.ethiopia.iom.int twitter.com/IOMEthiopia facebook.com/iomsloet 2 Volume 14 Issue 4 November 2016 Regional Committee on Mixed Migration for Horn of Africa and Yemen Meets in Addis Ababa and improve the often terrible conditions faced by migrants in the region. The formation of the Regional Committee on Mixed Migration follows recommendations made during the 2010 Regional Consultations held in Djibouti. The committee has met annually since 2011, and comprises representatives from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. IOM organizes the event with the support of the US State Department’s Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM). The meeting will review discussions and recommendations from last year on the topics of migration and development, detained migrants, and child protection and migration management. Expert facilitators will address areas including Migration Response Centers (MRCs), search and rescue at sea, and migrant child protection. The Horn of Africa has unique migration challenges. Hundreds of irregular migrants from the Horn of Africa perish every year in the Gulf of Aden and the Mediterranean as they attempt to cross borders to escape conflict, drought and economic strife. In the first eight months of 2016, 87,342 migrants arrived in Yemen from the Horn of Africa. At least 73 perished or are missing. Migrants make the journey from their places of origin, mainly from Ethiopia, through Somalia and Djibouti and across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen and the Gulf States. The Regional Committee places emphasis on strategic regional political dialogue to Addis baba– 21 September 2016 The expected outcome of the meeting increase migration management capacity is improved collaboration between and improve migrant protection. The Regional Committee on Mixed Migration governments in the Horn of Africa and for the Horn of Africa and Yemen is holding Yemen, as well as with international its sixth meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on partners to effectively manage migration 20-21 September 2016.

ECHO delegates and IOM visit IDPs in Somali region

n August 22, ECHO delegates and IOM visited an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) site in Annod, Somali region that received 178 non-food item kits Oand 225 dignity kits donated by ECHO under the project “ Rapid Response for Disaster- Affected IDPs in Ethiopia”.

3 The Migrant News IOM assists over 550 Ethiopian Returnees from Djibouti

Addis Ababa – 21 October 2016 experience specifically witnessing the death The Eastern migratory route is one of the of several smuggled migrants: “many were three most dangerous and actively used IOM assisted a total of 577 Ethiopians ill and had health problems and they were irregular channels by smugglers to transport stranded in Djibouti to return to Ethiopia. The left to die on the road.” He continued: “after vulnerable Ethiopian migrants to the Middle operation comprised four movements and having crossed Djibouti, we were forced on East. IOM continues to work with the started on Friday, 21st October 2016. Within to a boat and thrown into the water when we Ethiopian Government and other partners one week, IOM supported the safe return of approached the Yemen shores. Not all of us to combat irregular migration and to ensure 123 minors and 454 adults, each movement could swim and many drowned”. the safe and voluntary return of stranded assisting approximately 145 migrants. migrants back to their homeland. Most of the returnees were detained for days The returnees left Ethiopia with the help of and weeks in Yemen before being deported “Today more than ever, there is need for a smugglers, intending to reach the Kingdom to Djibouti, where they were received multi-pronged strategy if irregular migration of Saudi Arabia by paying, on average, at the IOM Migrant Response Centre in of this sort that commodifies human beings 10,000 – 15,000 ETB (500-750 USD). After Obock. There, Ethiopian Government is to be eradicated,” says the IOM Chief of arriving in Djibouti, they were abandoned officials carried out nationality verification Mission to Ethiopia, Ms. Maureen Achieng. by the smugglers and became stranded and issued travel documents enabling the “First and foremost, there is urgent need to there. Abdul, aged 30, was desperate to migrants to return home. They were assisted apprehend migrant traffickers and people leave Ethiopia to reach the Gulf country and escorted by IOM personnel back to smugglers, while at the same time ensuring in search of a better life: “The smugglers Ethiopia. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, the that the matching of labour supply and promised us a safe trip which would only returnees were welcomed at the Transit demand is handled by governments and take a maximum of 3 days to reach.” The Centre where they spent the night and their legitimate representatives and not by truth was far from reality and the road to the were given transportation allowance and people smugglers. Efforts to inform would-be Middle East was replete with hardships and blankets the following day to make their irregular migrants of the hazards of irregular torture: “they deprived us of both food and way to their respective hometowns. For migration, while at the same time supporting water.” “They demanded ransom each time the unaccompanied migrant children, IOM them in identifying alternatives to irregular we were handed over to another smuggler is working with UNICEF and the Bureau of migration must continue.” and beat us harshly when the amount wasn’t Women and Children Affairs (BoWCA) to procured,” he remembers in anguish. conduct family tracing; the children will Disclaimer: The actual names of the be staying at the Transit Centre until this interviewed migrants were changed to Hassen, 22, was a farmer in northern Ethiopia ensure privacy and confidentiality. who also aspired to earn a better living in process is completed, after which they will Saudi Arabia, where smugglers promised him be escorted back by BoWCA social workers a good salary. He recounted his traumatizing to their places of origin. 4 Volume 14 Issue 4 November 2016 Madonna Backs USAIM, IOM Effort to Reunite Ethiopian unaccompanied migrant Children with their Families A few days earlier, she had already announced on her own social media accounts the return to Ethiopia of the unaccompanied child migrants. “53 Ethiopians boys were detained and imprisoned since last November for traveling through Malawi without visas. Thanks to IOM and the financial assistance of @ raisingmalawi and the cooperation of the Malawian government they are all heading home this week!! Can I get an AMEN??? Thanks to everyone who helped!” The migrants were heading to South Africa when they were caught crossing the border illegally. Malawi is a transit country for migrants from the Horn of Africa en-route to South Africa to find work. Due to a lack of alternatives to detention facilities, when caught, undocumented migrants, including children often end up in overcrowded prisons. As a result, the Government of Malawi has asked for help in establishing a transit centre as an alternative to prison. Addis baba - 16 September 2016 Migration (USAIM), and in coordination with the governments of Ethiopia and Malawi. A group of 53 unaccompanied Ethiopian child migrants, who were returned from detention This operation was possible thanks to a in Malawi by IOM early this month, were donation from Raising Malawi, a non-profit reunited with their families on September 8. organization founded by the singer Madonna. After their release they were flown to the Last week she shared the news on the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and stayed in Raising Malawi twitter account: “With all IOM’s migrant transit center until the IOM the madness in this world, I am grateful to mission in Ethiopia could trace their families. share some light. All the 53 Ethiopian boys The children, all boys aged 12-17, have now who were detained in #Malawi for over all returned home. 10 months have been reunited with their families in #Ethiopia. Thank you #IOM and The return of the migrants and the the #Malawian government for working with reunification with their families were us to make this a reality.” The singer signed facilitated by IOM, in partnership with the the tweet with her initial “M”. US International Association for International Tigray Regional State Health Bureau Awarded IOM a Recognition for its Partnership in strengthening the Health System of the contribution of various humanitarian agencies Region. on the regional health programs over the past 10 years is highly admirable. The regional The Annual Health Festival mainly officials mentioned that the award recognizes encompasses two major conferences - the IOM’s outstanding capacity building activities, evaluation of the last 10-year Regional Health materialized direct implementation on TB Strategic Plan and the commencement of the Outreach and other programs in Shire Town next 5 Year Regional Health Strategic Plan. and beyond. IOM’s donation of various health The award was issued to IOM on the opening equipment, such as Gen-Expert machine and day of the festival on 29th of July 2016 to computer for Shire town Hospital, as well as accredit the various bilateral partnerships Refugee Programs which also benefit the host that the Organization has particularly community living in North Western Zone of upheld on health capacity building programs the region, were among the highlights the Shire-Tigray - Ethiopia- 29 July 2016 benefiting members of the host community in officials mentioned. the Region. On an Annual Health Festival which was held The Award was received by IOM’s Shire Office at the Tigray Regional State capital, Mekelle, In their opening remarks, Mr. Abaye Weldu, Senior Operations Assistant Mr. Ashenafi the International Organization for Migration Tigray Regional State President, and Mr. Tefera at Mekelle Tigray Regional State. (IOM) was awarded with a recognition Hagos Godefay, Regional Health Bureau certificate for its outstanding partnership Head, highlighted that the partnership and 5 The Migrant News IOM and humanitarian partners celebrate International Day for Disaster Reduction

Addis Ababa - 13 October 2016 exhibited its efforts and engagement in IOM’s involvement in disaster risk reduction addressing the ongoing El Nino / La Nina has been actively ongoing for nearly two IOM, together with other humanitarian weather phenomena, including livelihoods, decades with a growing and expanding partners joined in the celebration of the shelter and durable solutions programs portfolio of activities in disaster response, International Day for Disaster Reduction in response to disasters. Specifically, the prevention, risk reduction, mitigation (IDDR) through a half-day ceremony Emergency and Post-Crisis (EPC) unit of and climate change adaptation. IOM’s organized by the National Disaster Risk IOM Ethiopia has scaled up its efforts to engagement functions on different levels, Management Commission (NDRMC) on track and monitor displacement using from community to regional and national 13th October 2016 at Ghion Hotel, Addis its Protection Enhanced Displacement capacity building. Its responses also covers Ababa. The event aimed at promoting a Tracking Matrix (PE-DTM). IOM collates all types of disasters from immediate onset global culture of disaster risk awareness and and presents information to humanitarian natural catastrophes such as earthquakes to reduction was marked with the launch of a partners on displacements and its drivers – slow climate onset disasters such as coastal new framework “Sendai Seven Campaign – drought, resource based competition and erosion and sea-level rise. 7 Targets, 7 Years”, in line with Sustainable unseasonal flooding - caused by the El Nino Development Goals. This year, the occasion phenomenon in addition to other casual focused on the first target, “reducing disaster factors - conflict, fire, flooding and effects mortality” with the slogan “Live to Tell”. The of volcano. The scale-up aims to strengthen IOM Conducts Mental 2016 campaign seeks to create a wave of the capacity of identifying underlying causes awareness about actions taken to reduce of vulnerabilities that leads to disasters as Health Training for its mortality in Africa in general, and in Ethiopia well as information dissemination on the in particular as the result of both rapid and multi-sectoral needs of internally displaced Medical Staff in Ethiopia slow onset disasters. persons. A highlight of this year’s IDDR event is a high The Head of IOM’s EPC Unit, Martin Wyndham level panel discussion with representatives underlined: “Reducing disaster losses and from the NDRMC, UN Resident Coordinator, strengthening disaster risk management at senior representatives from civil society local, regional and national level is at the core organizations and UNISDR. Ato Tadesse of IOM Ethiopia’s Emergency and Post-Crisis Bekele, Senior Advisor of Early Warning and strategy. In view of this and the ongoing El Emergency Response Directorate (NDRMC) Nino/La Nina phenomena, IOM’s PE-DTM stated: “It is not just the response that is ever more relevant and pivotal to help we should focus on, but mainly, reducing partners in providing a timely, efficient and the risks. Reducing risks will decrease the The three-day training incorporated coordinated response addressing the multi- techniques on how to deal with recurrence of hazards and the risks of the sectoral needs of displaced persons. IOM will effects”. The event also served as a forum to mood, depression, bipolar, anxiety work closely with humanitarian partners and and substance-related disorders. The review the progress made to date and draw the Government of Ethiopia in implementing attention to follow up action in ensuring trainees also learned about techniques the new strategy, to provide comprehensive on how to deal with intellectual disability, effective implementation of the framework nationwide data on displacement and its across the African continent. the psychological profile of a migrant drivers”. (expectations/anxieties) and how to Presenting its projects and programs, IOM manage aggressive migrants. 6 The Migrant Volume 14 Issue 4 November 2016 News Business Start-up Kits Distributed to Eritrean Refugees and Host Communities partners namely the Administration for Refugee and returnee affairs (ARRA), UNHCR and Refugee Central Committee (RCC) at the beginning of the implementation of the project. As part of the steps of the pilot project, IOM allocated resources to conduct a market survey in Mai-Aini and Adiharush camps on April 2016. A five-day training on basic business skill was also provided to all the beneficiaries. Over the first phase of the project implementation program, the participation of beneficiaries on conceptualizing and preparing business plans was particularly successful. During the official handing over ceremony held at Mai-Aini Refugee Camp, on behalf of IOM, Mr. Ashenafi Tefera, Senior Operation Assistant and OIC, praised the active involvement of partners and beneficiaries in the implementation of the pilot project enabling and cultivating self-reliance and financial independence. He also underscored that IOM will continue working along with stakeholders to enhance such interventions in order to combat the risks of secondary/ irregular migration of refugees and host communities. Meanwhile, ARRA Mai-Aini Camp Coordinator Mr. Hailemariyam Teka stated that the Ethiopian government is Addis Ababa - 05 October 2016 of secondary and irregular migration which highly committed to work together with IOM is prevalent in the region. The start-up kits and other partners to ensure the means of Under the pilot Livelihood Project funded by distributed to the beneficiaries are based on livelihoods for the Eritrean refugees in the UK-FCO, IOM selected 135 beneficiaries and their respective business plan and market operation as an intervention package for were provided with basic business skill training survey recommendations. These are mainly secondary migration. Mr. Yirgalem Abera, and start-up kits. Participants comprised of geared towards business entertainment Child Protection Associate representing 50% female and 30% male were members of ventures namely billiard, video show, play UNHCR from May-Aini camp cited that UNHCR the host community living in the surrounding station as well as other income generating is undertaking all collaborative efforts to areas of both Mai-Aini and Adiharush Refugee activities such as hair dressing, tailoring, dairy enhance the livelihood projects in all Eritrean Camps. The project aims at enabling refugees and goat rearing and managing mini shop, refugee camps as part of the protection tool from the two camps as well as members of snack and cafeteria. host community in Maitsebri and Embamardi in order to address specific unmet needs. to run businesses and generate income IOM conducted a series of thorough while simultaneously mitigating the risks participatory discussions with all project

IOM builds a multifunctional Center for Eritrean refugees at Hitsats camp The center is built on a plot of land provided by the Ethiopia Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA). According to UNHCR Hitsats is one of the four major refugee camps in Tigray Region hosting 8,216 Eritrean refugees with limited access to a variety of entertainments. When the IOM multifunction center is launched, it will provide entertainment as well as awareness raising services for the whole Hitsats refugee population. The center is built with a funding received from Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration - US Department of State (PRM). 7 Volume 14 Issue 4 November 2016

IOM Ethiopia Relocates close to 40,000 South Sudanese Refugees to Decongest Border Site

Gambella – 27 September 2016 The refugees are among thousands crossing current rate for another couple of weeks, we into Gambella to escape the ongoing conflict will be faced with humanitarian needs that IOM Ethiopia has relocated 39,157 South in South Sudan. According to UNHCR, a total far outstrip existing facilities and exceed our Sudanese refugees from a transit site at the of 27,352 refugees have entered Gambella available resources,” said IOM Ethiopia Chief Pagak border entry point to Jewi, Tierkidi and from South Sudan since 3 September. of Mission Maureen Achieng. Kule camps in Gambella region in September and October 2016. IOM deployed 236 buses to relocate the The influx of new arrivals has also put strains 4,690 households between 9 and 26 on existing accommodation. IOM constructed “The situation in South Sudan is not getting September. Some 7,618 refugees were 400 emergency shelters for families relocated better. It is getting worse,” Mohammed moved to Tierkidi, 4,556 to Jewi and 589 to to Jewi camp on 20 September. Abdiker, IOM chief of Operations and Kule. During September 25-26 alone IOM Emergencies, said on Tuesday. He added that moved 2,818 individuals to decongest the Since the conflict erupted in South Sudan in refugees are now entering Ethiopia at a rate Pagak transit centre. December 2013, IOM Ethiopia has assisted of 1,000 per day, and IOM recently allocated over 260,000 South Sudanese refugees with USD 400,000 of funding to help manage the “While it is too early to say for certain how accommodation, shelter and relocation, flow. He did not expect the funding to last many people will need onward transportation including medical escorts, to Pugnido, more than two weeks during the emergency. this time around, all indications are that if Leitchuor, Bonga, Tierkedi, Kule, Leitchour, the inflows from South Sudan continue at the Jewi and Nip Nip camps.

8 The Migrant IOM Conducts Community Sensitization workshop with Youth and Religious leaders in Dollo Ado

DAolLo do– Somali Region Association attended the workshop in Dollo The workshop was organized by IOM and 5 September 2016 town. Zonal Youth and Sport office under the Japanese government funded project The aim of the workshop was to discuss the As part of secondary and irregular migration entitled “Improved living conditions of host irregular migration trends in the area and to intervention program for host and refugee and refugee communities from Somalia in have common ground on the implementation communities in Somali region Dollo-Ado to Ethiopia to promote social cohesion”. discuss challenges of irregular migration IOM of the project. As part of a comprehensive approach, IOM Conducted two days consultative workshop IOM aims to enhance and strengthen the Ethiopia is actively engaged in community with youth and religious leaders in Dollo Ado existing Community Based Behavioral Change based Behavioral Change and Communication town. and Communication in Somali region, Dollo- with different approaches in Amhara, Ado with different approaches like livelihood, During the workshop, a total of 126 (78=male, Oromiya, Tigray, and Southern Nation and Community Conversation, Peer education 48=female) community representatives, Nationality Peoples (SNNP) Regions. religious leaders, government staff of the and strengthening youth recreational centers Bureau of Women and Social Affairs, Woreda in Dollo Ado town, Bokolmayu and Melkedida Administration, Youth and Sport, Youth refugee camps.

“The situation is very worrying for a small IOM urges support as migrant country like Djibouti, which has always responded to humanitarian crises in the region. But it could soon be facing a massive numbers rise in Djibouti surge of migrants, given the current context,” Dj ibouti – 19 October 2016 are vulnerable on a journey that expose added IOM Djibouti Chief of Mission Lalini them to extreme climate conditions and Veerassamy. IOM is preparing an urgent appeal to unsafe land and sea transport. The largest donors in response to a migration/refugee IOM Yemen Chief of Mission Laurent De group are from Ethiopia’s Oromia and Tigray Boeck also expects large numbers of migrants emergency unfolding in Yemen and Djibouti, regions. They include unaccompanied child impacting across the Horn of Africa region, to continue to leave Yemen for Djibouti as migrants, who account for almost 30 percent the conflict between the government and including Ethiopia. The initial amount of the of the migratory flow into Djibouti. appeal will be in excess of USD 10 million, Houthi rebels continues. He said, “We are according to IOM Director for Operations and The Migration Response Center (MRC) in seeing a massive influx of migrants in Yemen, Emergencies Mohammed Abdiker. Obock managed by IOM in collaboration with mostly young Ethiopians, while at the same the Ministry of Interior is currently hosting time constantly receiving requests from “We are currently getting hundreds of over 600 stranded Ethiopian migrants (among other Ethiopians willing to be evacuated and migrants deported to Djibouti. Our Obock them 86 unaccompanied migrant children return home.” (Djibouti) centre cannot cope with the and five women). They were deported from IOM has also been monitoring conditions of numbers. Nor can our voluntary return Southern Yemen to Geherre and Khor Angar, programme. We believe that another 3,000 migrants in detention in Yemen, including a 30 km from Obock, Djibouti. They suffered recent outbreak of cholera. It believes that migrants may be deported to Djibouti in the badly in Yemen and on the journey to Obock coming days,” said Abdiker. over 4,000 mainly Ethiopian migrants are and have asked IOM for voluntary return being held in overcrowded facilities with “Djibouti has become the epicentre of assistance to Ethiopia. inadequate care. these relatively unknown, but yet complex, The MRC is now filled to capacity. Following bi-directional migratory flows across the Deportations have swelled the number of the arrival of a boat on 5 October, another new arrivals in Djibouti, against a backdrop Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with around 500 314 migrants are now being housed in migrants crossing daily,” observed IOM of an estimated 10,000 migrants, mostly tents outside the facility. In recent weeks Ethiopians, arriving in Djibouti every month. Director for East and Horn of Africa Jeffrey IOM supported the Ministry of Health in Labovitz, during a visit to Djibouti this week. containing a severe diarrhoea outbreak According to Labovitz, the migrants include among migrant communities in Obock. men, women and children, many of whom 9 Volume 14 Issue 4 November 2016

The senior consultant leading the profiling exercise, Mehari Tadele Maru(phd.) discussed the findings on the preliminary migration profiling with the participants. When drafted, the Migration Profile will make Ethiopia the 80th country that IOM has supported to develop such a tool. phase Upon completion, the Profile will provide concise information in a standard form for Ethiopia. Once, the technical assistance is nd provided, and IOM hands of the profiling Migration Profile task, the Government of Ethiopia will be taking the lead in updating the information. for Ethiopia Experiences from previous profiles have proven that such tools provide access to Addis baba - 22 September 2016 information on; the nature and magnitude reliable and targeted migration data would of migration trends to, through and from he International Organization for allow Governments to better harness the the country; the socioeconomic impact of Migration Special Liaison Office developmental potential or remittances and migration on Ethiopia and the Ethiopians; (IOM SLO) organized the second to devise more efficient solutions to protect 2 and the existing migration governance phase of the Migration Profile citizens from irregular migration, including coordination mechanisms and systems that Initiative meeting in Addis Ababa Trafficking in Persons and smuggling of regulate the movements of Ethiopians and on 22 September, 2016. The meeting migrants. T migration on Ethiopian soil,” Paolo Caputo, brought together representatives from Head of Programs for IOM SLO said. The migration profiling exercise is made Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Foreign possible through the financial assistance Affairs, Youth, Human Rights, and partner On the meeting, IOM SLO’s Senior Program provided by the United Nations, Delivering organizations to discuss the basic concepts Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant, Results Together Fund. of such profiles and associated challenges. Abraham Tamrat on his part stated that the challenges of organizing the migration “Once the first Migration Profile for Ethiopia profile include the lack of information, policy is released, the Government and its partners fragmentation, and lack of capacity. will have access to consolidated and reliable

Public Health. Obock is a hub for migrants IOM Responds to Diarrhoea from the Horn of Africa trying to reach Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Outbreak in Obock, Djibouti The Ministry of Health, with support from IOM, has now set up a treatment facility outside the MRC and all new cases since 15 September have been transferred there. IOM will continue to assist the Ministry’s response. IOM helped some 125 migrants who had fully recovered or were unaffected by the outbreak to return to Ethiopia on 16 September. They included 34 unaccompanied children. Djibouti’s water department (ONEAD) has increased the concentration of chlorine in water distributed through its network in all urban areas, including Djibouti and Balbala. All water points in Fantaherou, Tadjourah and Obock, which are high concentration areas for migrants, are also being disinfected by the ONEAD and the Ministry of Health. Government agencies and humanitarian partners have mobilized a public information campaign to alert people of the outbreak and how to mitigate the risk of it spreading among migrants and host communities. Lalini Veerassamy, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti said: “We are currently on the ground in Djibouti-ville and Obock, working Dj ibouti – 20 September 2016 still in a severe dehydration state and 18 are closely with Djibouti government authorities in recovery as of 16 September. The Migration Response Center (MRC) in and other UN agencies, with the support of Obock, Djibouti, earlier this month reported A rapid response team and an equipped the IOM Regional Office in Nairobi, to ensure a growing number of severe diarrhoea cases vehicle was sent by IOM and the Ministry that we deal effectively with these cases.” among migrants originating from Ethiopia. of Health to Obock with foods supplies, Since then, new cases have been reported, decontamination materials, and chlorine with 189 now registered. Some 38 cases are tablets provided by the Djibouti Institute of 10 The Migrant

Dutch Parliamentarians visit IOM Transit Center in Addis Ababa

Addis baba– 24 October 2016 migrant children to their homes and families. subject: “IOM employs a holistic and inclusive To this, Maureen Achieng underlined the strategy in addressing internal displacement. Eight members of the standing committee long standing experience of IOM in working It is essential to work with both internally for Security and Justice of the House of with country governments in facilitating displaced and host communities in the Representatives of the Kingdom of the exchange of information and expediting short, medium and long-term. IOM provides Netherlands paid a visit to IOM Transit operations. She explains that: “a robust emergency humanitarian assistance in the Center in Addis Ababa on 24 October 2016. regional coordination and cooperation still short-term, while working to bridge the The Dutch parliamentarians were welcomed needs to be achieved to efficiently address delivery of humanitarian assistance with by Maureen Achieng, IOM Chief of Mission these migration issues”. development programming, notably through and Representative to the AU, IGAD and durable solutions initiatives that enable both UNECA and Shalini Bahuguna, Deputy Another outstanding challenge and key issue displaced and host communities to better Representative of UNICEF. raised was the reintegration of returnees. access basic services and pursue productive Paolo Caputo IOM Head of Programs livelihoods and economic opportunities. ” The parliamentarians’ primary goal during highlighted that “successful reintegration this visit was to have a better understanding is essential not only to dissuade potential After discussions of key issues, the of the dynamics, key issues and situation migrants from migrating or re-migrating, parliamentarians were given a tour of at large of internally displaced persons and but also, it communicates a much needed the Transit Center where IOM colleagues push-pull factors that propel Ethiopians positive image that one can “make it” in his/ explained the process of the Assisted to emigrate both through irregular and her own locality. Unfortunately, the process Voluntary Return and the purpose of the regular channels. Following welcoming of reintegration continues to be eclipsed by Transit Centre. They were also given the remarks and briefing by IOM and UNICEF the process of return. Both are not exclusive opportunity to meet and directly talk with on continental and regional perspective on entities and are of equal importance social workers assigned by the Bureau of migration, migration challenges in Ethiopia, in combatting irregular migration and Women and Children Affairs (BOWCA) as well Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration managing migration at large. This is why as with unaccompanied migrant children and children on the move, an open we call upon the attention of donors to give who are currently hosted at the Transit discussion focused on migrants, specifically more focus on the reintegration process”. Centre for family tracing and reunification. unaccompanied migrant children as well The children recounted the ordeals they as internally displaced persons. One of the The Dutch parliamentarians also raised a faced, reasons for migrating and aspirations enquiries of the Dutch parliamentarians question of internal displacement within for a better life. They also extended their referred to the concrete steps undertaken by Ethiopia and IOM’s approach in dealing with gratitude to IOM for helping them return to IOM and UNICEF to ensure the safe return of this. Martin Wyndham elaborated on the their country.

11 The Migrant Volume 14 Issue 4 November 2016

“The Paris Free Movement Agreement on of Person’s climate change: Independent What next for Africa?” Expert Meeting The Sixth Conference on Climate Change and The African Union Commission (AUC) held Development in Africa (CCDA–VI), took place the second meeting of independent experts from 18-20 October, in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. on 26th – 28th October 2016, in Entebbe, The conference was organized under the Uganda. The aim of the meeting was to auspices of the Climate for Development in review the progress made in respect to Africa (ClimDev-Africa) Programme, and the the development of the first draft of the focus was “The Paris Agreement on climate proposed Protocol by the Heads of State change: What next for Africa?” as the theme. Assembly. IOM was represented at this The overall objective of CCDA-VI was to meeting by HQ, SLO Addis and ACBC (Moshi). understand the implications, challenges and In summary the meeting set the stage for the opportunities of implementing the Paris legal drafters to put the current document in Agreement for Africa in the context of the proper legal terms. It is to be recalled that the continent’s development priorities. Assembly of the African Heads of State took a decision to speed up the implementation IOM was represented by an expert from the of continent-wide visa free regimes. As such Migration, Environment and Climate Change the AUC was given a task to begin working (MECC) Division at the Headquarters and on the development of a Protocol on Free presented under Sub-theme four on Linkages Movement of Persons, which will be tabled between climate change and migration. at the Heads of State Summit in January The CCDA-VI is said to have facilitated and 2018. This experts meeting forms part of Union Border Programme (AUBP) and its enriched the sharing of lessons, key research the process geared towards tabling the implementation modalities. The meeting’s findings, outreach and policy uptake, as well document at the 2018 Summit. broader objective was to review the status as stimulate investments. of implementation of the AUBP and attend to pressing border issues on the continent. UNECA emphasized on the urgent need The meeting which was concluded with the for African countries to review and revise adoption of the Addis Ababa Declaration, their Intended Nationally Determined Conference of was preceded by a Preparatory Meeting of Contributions (INDCs) to address challenges African Ministers Experts from 3 to 5 October 2016. that can affect the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change. in charge of As a long standing partner of the AUBP, The meeting brought together diverse IOM was invited and provided a technical stakeholders attended by policymakers and Border Issues presentation on its overall core area of work researchers, young people, civil society and in particular on its activities related The African Union Commission (AUC) held organizations, negotiators and the private toiImmigration and border management. the first Conference of African Ministers in sector. IOM was represented by SLO Addis and IOM charge of Border Issues in Addis Ababa in Tanzania-ACBC. the year 2007. This Conference, inter alia, adopted the Declaration on the African

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International Organization for Migration Special Liaison Office (SLO) in Addis Ababa P.O. Box 25283 Code 1000 Addis Ababa Tel +251 116 611 097/98, Fax +251 116 611 101, Email: [email protected] YEARS International Organization for Migration www.iom.int www.iom.ethiopia.org twitter.com/IOMEthiopia facebook.com/iomsloet