Addis Ababa – The second programme coordination meeting of the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA), implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), took place from 28 May to 1 June 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Participants to the meeting included programme managers and Protection, Reintegration, Monitoring and Evaluation and Resource Management specialists from 16 country offices, three regional offices and HQ.

As reminded by Mr Abrham Tamrat, Sr. Regional Programme Coordinator, on his opening remarks, “Through the MPRR-SSA, IOM provides protection services in more than 20 countries, including remote areas, representing the largest protection programme and source of information in our region that contributes to foster returnees’ sustainable reintegration.”

The event highlighted key results achieved under the MPRR-SSA since its start in August 2022. As of April 2024, the programme supported 28,535 migrants with assistance and specialized protection services and provided Assisted Voluntary Return services to more than 22,705 migrants. Upon return, more than 43,870 migrants received reception and post-arrival assistance, while more than 32,695 received at least one form of reintegration assistance.

During the event, the country teams shared the progress made in adapting to their national context the roadmap developed during the cross-regional workshop held in Abidjan last March 2024, which gathered government representatives from countries across North and Sud-Saharan Africa to exchange right-centred solutions to migration management along the Mediterranean migration routes.  

Funded by the European Union, the MPRR-SSA programme plays a pivotal role as the largest migrant protection initiative managed by IOM. Participants engaged in discussions to review the programme’s progress, share practices and identify key priorities and solutions for evidence-based management and enhanced coordination, partnerships and sustainability, reflecting a commitment to address evolving migration dynamics and needs.

The programme aims to address the pressing challenges encountered by migrants, communities, civil society and governments along migration routes and in countries of origin across Sub-Saharan Africa, targeting 16 countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Somalia, and Sudan. Complementary to the MPRR Programme in North Africa, the programme provides right-based solutions to migrants by offering direct assistance services such as access to health and mental health, shelter, education, social protection, travel documents and consular assistance in countries of transit; facilitating the assisted voluntary return in a safe and dignified way of those who request it; and supporting the reintegration of migrants once back in their country of origin through skill acquisition, employment or business development services, and support to access education, health and psychosocial support services, personal documents and social protection schemes.

The programme also provides critical specialized assistance to the most vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied and separated children and children travelling with their families; migrants subjected to exploitation and violence during their journeys; and human trafficking survivors identified along the routes. By addressing vulnerabilities and psychosocial needs in a holistic manner and all along the migration route, the MPRR-SSA aims to enhance the well-being of migrants and returnees and contribute to overall migration management, fostering stability and inclusive development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

For more information, please contact Halima Aminata Couro Djigo, Regional Media and Communications Manager, at hdjigo@iom.int.