More Help for Vulnerable Migrants in Somalia as IOM Opens a Migration Response Centre in Mogadishu

Mogadishu – A new Migration Response Centre (MRC) catering to the needs of vulnerable migrants returning to Somalia is due to open its doors in Mogadishu.

It follows the official hand-over (on 13 September) of the facility by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to the Banadir Regional Administration, its main governmental counterpart in Mogadishu. The city represents a hub for returning migrants both through IOM programmes of voluntarily return as well as for migrants forcibly returned.

The new MRC is funded by the European Union Trust Fund (EUTF) and the Migration Resource Allocation Committee (MIRAC). Other funding support for the running of the MRC will come from the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration in the Horn of Africa.      

The new MRC is the eighth of this kind in the East and Horn of Africa and complements the services provided by the two other MRCs, located in Bossaso and Hargeisa. These facilities serve as one-stop centres for stranded migrants and returnees, including victims of trafficking (VOTs) and Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC), in need of information and protection related services. 

The new MRC will contribute to IOM’s objective towards strengthening the humane management of mixed migration flows in Somalia. Somalia presents a complex and diverse migration profile as a source, transit and destination country at the centre of multiple migration routes.  

Returning migrants often lack access to basic services such as medical, psychosocial and legal assistance and are in need of support in reintegrating into their communities of origin through a sustainable process.

The Mogadishu MRC is part of IOM Somalia’s efforts to expand its migrant protection, assistance and community engagement activities across the country.

“It will provide migrants with direct assistance, information, counselling, and referrals, as well as play a key role in promoting the sustainable reintegration of Somali returnees provided with Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR).” said Isaac Munyae, IOM Somalia Programme Manager.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Mayor of Mogadishu within the Banadir Regional Administration, Honorable Omar Mohamed Mohamud, highlighted the importance of boosting efforts to protect the rights of migrants and returnees.

“This is a special MRC because it is the first in in South and Central Somalia that will provide services to vulnerable Somali returning migrants,” he said.

Richard Danziger, IOM Somalia Chief of Mission added that:

“There is no question that once they come back, many of these young Somali migrants need support, and the right support on their return will really contribute to the rebuilding of Somalia.” 

The MRC also complements work carried out under the EU-REINTEG Programme on ‘Facilitating Return through Laying Foundations for Somalia in the Horn of Africa’ (FLASH), that seeks to ensure a more robust approach to mixed migration dynamics in the region.