afrol News, 12 February - International Organisation Migration (IOM) regional office in Dakar, Senegal, is today launching a countrywide information campaign geared towards raising awareness on the dangers attached to irregular migration.

In 2007, more than 30,000 irregular migrants from West Africa reached the shores of the Spanish Canary Islands in small wooden boats in search of greener pastures.

However, an unknown number of Africans - mainly young men - perished during the perilous journey.

The campaign was designed to sensitise communities, especially young people, the common victims of irregular migration. IOM said it also targets women and children so that they would "help promote awareness amongst even the youngest potential migrants who may decide to leave the country by any means possible."

Bankrolled by the government of Spain, IOM has teamed up with Senegalese Ministry of Youth and Employment and the Spanish Cooperation Agency in Senegal to launch the campaign.

IOM is working with local NGOs and community associations to reach out to civil society organizations and to the public at large with activities that include conferences by religious and community role models, discussion groups, art competitions and exhibits, concerts, radio programmes, and plays.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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