Tunis – Over the past three days, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has facilitated the safe and dignified voluntary return of 392 stranded migrants from Tunisia to countries of origin including: Burkina Faso (163 persons), Gambia (165 persons), Guinea (7 persons), Liberia (1 person), Mali (33 persons), and Senegal (23 persons).

In close collaboration with the government of Tunisia, through its representative authorities in the governorates of Medenine, Sfax and Tataouine, and key partners such as the Tunisian Red Crescent (TRC), and in coordination with IOM offices in the countries of origin and IOM regional offices, IOM provides tailored assistance to migrants wishing to return, including pre-departure and post-arrival services through the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programmes (AVRR).

Upon return, all 392 returning migrants will receive tailored reintegration services to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their communities.

“I left my husband and my 11-years-old boy in Gambia when I was 3-months pregnant. Back home, I hope to do something meaningful and be able to support my family and rebuild myself.  IOM will help me in reopening and refurbishing my small shop that sells and buys products for women (clothes, perfumes and shoes),” Awa, 30 years old, said before onboarding.

Returning to one’s country of origin often presents a significant challenge to migrants, as they may face difficulties in rebuilding their social and economic networks and reintegrating into their home communities. 

Throughout the comprehensive return and reintegration process, IOM offers various types of support at different levels (economic, social and psychosocial), addressing the multidimensional nature of the reintegration process.

“Once in Mali, returnees are provided with comprehensive sustainable reintegration assistance. This includes economic support, such as vocational training and small business development, to help returnees establish a stable livelihood. Additionally, IOM offers psychosocial support and community-based initiatives aimed at fostering social cohesion and addressing the challenges returnees face in reintegrating into their community,” said Olivier Grosjean, IOM Mali’s Chief of mission ai.

In 2023, IOM assisted 2,557 migrants to voluntarily return from Tunisia to their countries of origin, representing a 45% increase from 2022, where 1,614 migrants were assisted with voluntary return and reintegration.  

“IOM’s Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration has always been a lifeline for migrants who wish to return home but do not have the means to do so. This humanitarian assistance has been helping migrants not just to return safely, but also improving their social, psychosocial, and economic statuses in their communities,” said Dawda Njie, IOM The Gambia’s Reintegration Assistant.

Through an integrated approach to reintegration that supports both migrants and their communities, returning migrants have the potential to complement local development, and mitigate some of the drivers of irregular migration. 

Moussa, who has returned home to Burkina Faso, was provided with a vocational training in welding for six months, welding equipment and support for renting a place.

“Today, my work pays me well and it benefits my family. It gives me the opportunity to sometimes help other people,” he said.

These returns were made possible thanks to the European Union-funded Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration in North Africa (MPRR-NA) programme. Launched in January 2023, the overall objective of this programme is to contribute to the strengthening of migrant protection and sustainable reintegration systems in North Africa, while enhancing support to stranded migrants as well as reinforcing national return and reintegration systems across the North Africa region.

For more information, please contact: 
In Tunisia: iomtunispublicinfo@iom.int
In Cairo: telyan@iom.int 
In Dakar: hdjigo@iom.int