- More than 500 undocumented migrants in Morocco from several sub-Saharan African countries have benefited from voluntary return over the last 18 months under the auspices of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The migrants, mostly young people from Congo Brazzaville, Ivory Coast, Guinea Conakry and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have requested aid from the IOM after having spent years isolated in Morocco without adequate resources.
According to IOM, upon their return, migrants will be granted funds to undertake income generating projects to earn a better living. The grants are received from Belgium, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland and will be disbursed by the Moroccan government in collaboration with migrant’s countries of origin.
"It is essential to provide support for sustainable reintegration of those migrants who opt for voluntary return," Stéphane Rostiaux, Head of IOM Mission in Morocco said.
He said migrants returning home empty handed will be stigmatised in communities.
At present, IOM assesses the impact of programmes in Congo Brazzaville, Guinea Conakry and Senegal to improve the help given to the reintegration of irregular migrants seeking to return voluntarily.
Since 2005, over 1,800 undocumented migrants from 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have benefited from the program of voluntary return.
With new funding from the European Commission, Italy, Switzerland and United Kingdom, another 1,000 immigrants are eligible for aid for the return and reintegration in the next 12 months.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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