IOM Spearheading Initiatives to Prevent Irregular Migration in Ethiopia - ENA English
IOM Spearheading Initiatives to Prevent Irregular Migration in Ethiopia
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Addis Ababa November 02/2018 International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UN Migration Agency are spearheading two initiatives in Ethiopia to assist returnees and build youth resilience to prevent irregular migration in the future, according to IOM press release. Penda Manufacturing, paper recycling company in Addis Ababa, in cooperation with the City Administration is collecting paper from 7, 000 micro enterprise collectors, it added. IOM Ethiopia employs 25 female Ethiopian returnees from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to collect and recycle the Organization’s waste paper, thereby reducing IOM’s ecological footprint. The returnees will run mobile paper waste deposit sites, collecting waste paper for which Penda Manufacturing PLC will compensate them, it was learned. Moreover, IOM Ethiopia has provided peer education and livelihood training to 312 students and teachers in 48 schools and 25 youth centers throughout Ethiopia. By expanding livelihood opportunities for young people, IOM aims to increase their resilience and minimize the economic factors that often push them to migrate irregularly, it noted. In addition to providing post-arrival assistance, IOM Ethiopia has helped vulnerable migrants reintegrate economically through livelihood support and hopes to replicate in the future by working with other UN Organizations and partners. However, the reintegration need of a significant number of vulnerable returnees remain unmet, it was indicated. It is to be recalled that an average of 10,000 individuals were deported monthly following the kingdoms decree passed on March 29, 2017 to either legalize their status or voluntarily leave the country within an established amnesty period.