Voluntary Return of 131 Togolese Migrants from Libya: A Joint Effort by IOM and the Togolese Government

Lomé, Togo – The International Organization for Migration, in collaboration with the Togolese Government, facilitated the voluntary return of 131 migrants (77 men, 54 women, including 28 children) from Libya via a charter flight on Tuesday, 22 October 2024.

Upon their arrival in Lomé, the migrants were welcomed by H.E. Madame Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou, Minister of Social Action, National Solidarity, and Women’s Promotion, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and Togolese Abroad, along with representatives from the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, and Madame Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, Chief of Mission of IOM for Benin, Togo, and Ghana. IOM provided immediate assistance to the migrants, including food, water, and hygiene kits.

In a message on behalf of President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, H.E. Madame Kossiwa Zinsou-Klassou welcomed the migrants and reassured them of the Togolese Government’s commitment to establish necessary services to facilitate their social reintegration, in line with the policy of inclusion under the leadership of President Faure Essozimna. “No one will come to build Togo in our place. We must all contribute to building the Togolese nation,” she conveyed to the migrants.

IOM continued the registration and profiling process initiated in Libya, allowing reintegration measures to be tailored to the specific needs of the migrants. In collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, IOM also provided psychological and health-care support to migrants in need.

Mme. Fatou Diallo Ndiaye, IOM Togo Chief of Mission, expressed gratitude to IOM Libya, which, through emergency funding, enabled the smooth facilitation of the profiling and reintegration process for migrants returning voluntarily to Togo. She emphasized that protection and assistance activities for migrants, such as voluntary return assistance provided by IOM, ensure vulnerable, stranded migrants a safe and dignified journey home if they choose, allowing them to reunite with their families. She also thanked the Togolese Government for its ongoing collaboration in organizing the voluntary return of Togolese migrants.

IOM and its partners will continue to support returnees by developing comprehensive reintegration plans that address economic, social, and psychosocial needs. These plans will include initiatives such as identifying income-generating activities, housing, education, vocational training for small business development, and strengthening professional skills acquired before and during the migration journey.

Quote from Mr. Lare Nadijoua (Returning Migrant):

“Returning home is a tremendous relief. When the plane landed, you could hear everyone’s shouts of joy. Words truly fail to describe my happiness. Now, I have the opportunity to rebuild my life and reunite with my family. I thank the Togolese Government and IOM.”

***

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Etienne Banga, Head of IOM Togo Office, ebanga@iom.int