MONROVIA, Dec. 18 (LINA) – As part of efforts to eradicate illegal migration, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has cautioned and educated youths on the perilous nature of illegal journeys to other countries.
IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners on issues in the sector.
It is dedicated to promoting human orderly migration for the benefit of all and does so by providing services and advices to governments and migrants.
IOM works to help ensure the orderly and human management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, as well as assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
Speaking Thursday at the Global Migration Film Festival in Monrovia, the Project Manager of the IOM, Joseph Kizerbo, said that Liberia is non-demographic while a large percentage of the population is under 15 years, and lots of young people are trying to make the deadly journey to provide for their needs.
Being aware of the dangers of such journey, he stated that the IOM has come up with a new program called “Migrants as Messenger” intended to use ex-migrants to carry on awareness by narrating their stories which will help other people that have the same mindset of travelling the wrong path,.
“We are aware that this could discourage them by displaying documentary on illegal migration and allowing our assistant volunteers of returnees to speak.”
Displaying pictures of victims, the Public Relation Officer of the IOM, Tamba Ciapha, noted that “these are some of our people that took the dangerous path by migrating illegally in search of greener pasture believing that their countries cannot meet their needs.”
He added: “During the journey some of them lose their lives, some are abused and at the same time, some have been rescued by IOM and sent back home.”
According to him, the Global Migration Film Festival is an international movie on the topic of migration which raises awareness on the dangers of illegal migration, citing that “we show the illegal side of travelling, so people will get a clue that illegal travelling is risky, but if you intend to travel, it is important that you use the legal way.”
He admonished Liberians to desist from taking the dangerous path, explaining that “although IOM is giving assistance now, but they will not continue because the European Union that funds the reintegration process for migrants from the North will bring it to an end one day.”
Ciapha indicated that when the program is cut off it will be too late for migrants who are in other countries illegally to return home through IOM, noting that “the most important thing is for you to come back home safely because there is nowhere like home.”
During the program, Richard Shasha, Abrahim Kromah, Marie Sayo and Abraham Kamara served as testimonials from among those returning to share their painful stories which include trafficking and prostitution, among others, and all called on Liberians to be grateful for their country and stay home because there is nowhere like home.
“If you want to migrate, use the rightful channel by getting all of the legal documents,” they urged their audience.
