The awareness-raising campaign to prevent the risks of irregular migration and to inform children and 
young people on the move, Moroccans and foreigners, as well as local communities, about possible 
alternatives, was successfully launched thanks to a close collaboration between the International 
Organization for Migration (IOM) and its civil society partners working on child protection and 
migration in six cities in the Kingdom of Morocco, namely Casablanca, Marrakech, Nador, Oujda, Rabat 
and Tangier.

This initiative started in April 2023 and builds on the findings and recommendations of a field study 
conducted, in 2022 by IOM, in the framework of the project Assistance and Protection of 
Unaccompanied and Separated Children in Morocco.

The objective of this field study was to identify the communication’s tools used by unaccompanied and 
separated children and young people, both Moroccans and foreigners, to obtain information on their 
migration projects. The results show that word of mouth and exchanges with peers remain the most 
favored means of gathering information, reaching a rate of 71%. Technological means such as the 
telephone and social networks are less used, with a rate of 29%. The study also revealed that 
unaccompanied and separated Moroccan children have an even greater preference for word of mouth 
(89%) compared to the use of technological means (11%). Young Moroccans in a situation of mobility 
have a more balanced use of the different means of information with a marked preference for word of 
mouth (56%).

Based on result’s study, best practices were adopted to initiate ongoing awareness-raising actions on 
the risks of irregular migration and information sessions on alternatives to encourage children and 
young people to make informed decisions about migration.
"Irregular migration particularly affects young, unaccompanied and separated children and their 
communities. This requires a multidimensional response to the complexity of mobility for these 
specifically vulnerable groups. By raising awareness of the associated risks and offering alternatives, 
we can promote safe and orderly migration that benefits individuals and societies. Although many 
young people and children have already faced these risks, it is important to continue to raise awareness 
and provide information to prevent their recurrence. These young people and children aspire to a 
dignified life and this initiative will empower them to make informed and educated decisions about 
their future," said Ms. Lina El Azem, Programme Officer for Human Trafficking and Child Protection at 
IOM Morocco.

"This campaign responds to a real need identified among children and young people in vulnerable 
situations. It is crucial to raise awareness among this population about the reality of irregular 
migration, the risks and consequences associated with it. This initiative is also an opportunity for our 
team to develop tools and practices that can be replicated" said a civil society partner, inviting children 
and young people to take part in the campaign activities to learn more about the risks of irregular 
migration and explore the alternatives and services available to them.
IOM and its local partners will continue to work together to raise awareness of the risks associated with 
irregular migration and promote safe alternatives for children and young people.
This campaign is organized within the framework of the project "Assistance and Protection of 
Unaccompanied and Separated Children", funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and 
implemented by IOM Morocco since 2019, in concert with a wide range of partners, and which aims, 
among other things, to raise awareness among young migrants about the risks associated with irregular 
migration.

For further information, please contact:
Meryem MASSAIA, IOM MOROCCO
mmassaia@iom.int