Returning Home: A Journey of Dignity and Hope

In the arid plains of Tamanrasset, southern Algeria, a multidisciplinary team from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is busy working with migrants finishing medical assessments, travel documentation and other legal procedures.

The migrants are to be transferred to the airport on their way for a long-awaited trip home through the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme.

In close collaboration with Algerian authorities, the AVRR has been a beacon of hope for migrants seeking to return to their homelands in a safe and dignified manner. For them, the trip marks a new beginning.

Senaly: A Father's Longing

Senaly Kanta, a Malian migrant, spent several years in Algeria, working tirelessly in construction. As a father of five, his heart ached for his children, whom he couldn't see due to his irregular status. "A few days ago, I got the news that my mother passed away," Senaly recounts, "That’s the worst news anyone can get while being away."

Senaly reflected on his years of hard work and realized it was time to go back. "I have worked very hard for not enough money … it’s time for me to go back," he concluded. His dream is for his children to stay in school in Mali and secure good jobs in their homeland. With the help of IOM Algeria, Senaly is now back with his family, ready to cultivate their land and build a better future.

Daouda: Healing with Family
 

Daouda Coulibaly, another Malian migrant, faced a severe leg injury while working at a construction site in Tamanrasset. Though he received free medical care at a public hospital, he struggled with isolation, which took a toll on his mental health. "It's hard to be alone while being really sick, with no support system," Daouda explains.

As part of the fit for travel health assessment, IOM Algeria's medical health nurse ensured Daouda was safe to travel. "I’m not feeling well now, but everything will be okay when I go back home because I won't be alone anymore," he says with a hopeful smile. Daouda's return marks the beginning of his recovery, surrounded by the care and support of his family.

Mouhammed : Reuniting with Loved Ones

Mouhammed El Bousieri, captured in a striking portrait, spent years working various jobs in Tamanrasset. Away from his family and six children for a long time, Mouhammed now yearns for the comfort of home. "I’m not a young man anymore," he reflects. "I just wish to reunite with my family at this stage of my life."

His heartfelt desire to return home was realized on 11 June, when IOM Algeria facilitated a special flight for voluntary return. With the cooperation of the Algerian authorities and the Malian consulate in Tamanrasset, travel documents were swiftly processed. Following a transit in Algiers, Mouhammed and 149 other Malian migrants arrived safely in Bamako.

Since February 2024, IOM Algeria, with the facilitation of the Algerian authorities, has assisted over 1 300 migrants from various nationalities, predominantly Malians, Guineans, and Burkinabes, in returning to their countries of origin. Each return is a story of resilience, hope, and the unwavering human spirit.

The AVRR program, under the auspices of the Migrant Protection and Reintegration in North Africa (MPRR-NA) project, is generously funded by the European Union and ensures that migrants can return home with dignity and hope for a better future.