Humane Border Management Practices and COVID-19 Response Strengthened in Somalia

Mogadishu, Somalia – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is supporting Somalia to make migration safer for hundreds of thousands of migrants who pass through its borders each year while maintaining secure borders in the context of complex crisis situations such as COVID-19 by implementing effective humane border management practices.

Somalia is a key source, transit, and, to some extent, destination country for irregular migratory flows due to porous borders, including one of the largest sea borders in Africa. The country has registered 134,242 cross-border movements since March 2020, representing a decrease of 39 percent in comparison to last year where 218,441 movements were observed, mainly because of COVID-19 induced movement restrictions.

But despite the closure of official borders points, tens of thousands of migrants have continued to enter Somalia, often enduring grueling journeys, and exposing themselves to serious protection risks such as abuse and exploitation.

Moreover, most migrants have traveled in close quarters with other migrants and lived in conditions without physical distancing or access to hand washing and face coverings which has increased their risk to contract the disease.

To address the current needs brought up by the pandemic and as part of the global humanitarian response plan, IOM in coordination with the Somalia Immigration and Naturalization Directorate and Ministry of Health, conducted training for 40 frontline Somali immigration officers and healthcare workers in Mogadishu.

This training marked the first activity of a regional initiative funded by the humanitarian assistance of the Government of  Germany, which aims to enhance prevention, cooperation and strengthen capacity in border management during an emergency crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining awareness and respect for humanitarian aspects in migrants processing at points of entry.

Front line border officers, such as immigration, health, and other law enforcement officials, are the first persons that migrants encountered when arriving in Somalia and play a crucial role in the operational aspects of the fight against COVID-19 and human rights issues —in either the detection of suspected individuals or administering detentions, referrals, and testing services.

 “This training helped me understand the need to collaborate with other institutions to ensure migrants rights are protected while providing them with needed information about the current situation,” said  Saida Mohamed Ali, who was one of the participants from the immigration office.

Now officials from both institutions know how to screen for COVID-19 and respond to possible cases. This includes how to implement an inclusive approach to all travelers and migrants, regardless of their migration status, and how to address misconceptions that could contribute to anti-migrant sentiment and xenophobia.

Richard Danziger, IOM Somalia Chief of Mission, urges:

“Now, more than ever, we need to support and strengthen both migration management and health practices across Somalia. Migrants are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, while they have a much lower ability to access information and supplies to protect themselves and their families.”

Irregular migration, coupled with health and security challenges, call for improved control of borders whilst facilitating healthier and legal migration channels.

IOM currently supports 22 Points of Entry (PoEs) in Somalia, including ten airports, five seaports, and seven land posts. Similar trainings are expected to take place during the coming months to build the capacity of officials working at other PoEs across the country.