Nairobi, Kenya - The new Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy E. Pope, has conducted a four-nation trip to the East and Horn of Africa region.

This was DG Pope’s first official mission since taking office on October 1, 2023.  During the trip the DG visted Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti, and met with the leaders of the four nations, other senior government officials, the African Union, regional economic blocs, UN agencies, donors and partners, and migrant groups.

The region is home to over 6 million international migrants, over 3.6 million migrant workers, nearly 4 million refugees and asylum seekers and close to 10 million IDPs. Many are in need humanitarian and development assistance due to conflicts, insecurity, climate change, including drought and flooding, which have all led to significant levels of displacement and forced migration. The region is also a major source of labour migrants, particularly to Gulf countries and Europe. Migrant workers also send home billions of dollars in remittances each year, which is contributing to economic growth and development, and demonstrates the positive benefits of managed migration for the region.

The DG’s tour began in Ethiopia. Home to an estimated 109 million people, Ethiopia is a major country of origin for migrants, a country of transit and destination.  DG Pope met with Ethiopia’s President, H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, and discussed how IOM can help to respond to the needs of migrants and displaced people and support the government initiatives to respond. The DG also met and interacted with refugees being supported by IOM.

In Somalia, DG Pope met H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the EU, and the UN Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for Somalia for Political Affairs, among other officials. Somalia is in the throes of the worst drought in four decades which has led to the displacement of nearly 1.4 million people. DG Pope discussed how to support the Somali government to respond to climate change linked disasters, to prevent further displacement, and climate change adaptation.  Migration has also been a powerful socio-economic driver for Somalia. The Somali diaspora sends home an estimated $1.6 billion in remittances annually, accounting for 27.3 percent of the country’s GDP. The Somali diaspora also invests in and strengthens the labour force. IOM Somalia has supported over 450 Somalia diaspora experts from 18 countries to bring their knowledge and skills back to the country in healthcare, education, governance and other sectors. During the visit DG Pope discussed how IOM programming can further support the country’s development goals.  

In Kenya, DG Pope held bilateral meetings with H.E President William Samoei Ruto, and senior government ministers. IOM has been supporting the government of Kenya to include migration issues in its development agenda. IOM in Kenya is supporting the government with migration governance, labour mobility and social inclusion, immigration and border management, migration health, resettlement, programming, among other issues.  DG Pope attended the launch of Kenya’s ‘National Implementation Plan for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration Launch’. The plan provides a framework for the government to make migration work for greater sustainable development in Kenya.

DG Pope also visited Djibouti, as the last leg of her visit and held talks with H.E. President Ismail Omar Guelleh, H.E. Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, the country’s Prime Minister. Djibouti is facing serious challenges responding to the needs of thousands of migrants predominantly from Ethiopia and Somalia passing through the country irregularly each year in the hope of reaching the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and other gulf states. Thousands of migrants are stranded, and many missing. In August, 33 migrants perished when their boat capsized, as it was trying to reach Yemen. IOM Djibouti has been working closely with the government authorities to respond to migrants affected and operates Migration Response Centres in key location that provide emergency relief and support.

“During my visit to the four countries, I held fruitful discussions with heads of governments and our partners in the region. IOM stands ready to work with governments in the region to create opportunities that benefit migrants and to assist those in need. The importance of building economic opportunities that benefit everyone including migrant populations have never been more urgent,” Ms. Pope said.

For More information, please contact:

Yvonne Ndege
Mobile: +254 797 735 977
Email: yndege@iom.int 

IOM Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa Media and Communication Unit
Tel: +254709889000