ABOUT

In order to reduce the negative impact of irregular migration and also to facilitate transition of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees towards durable solution, IOM is providing services and support for Migrants and Mobile Populations (MMPs) with special focus on women, youth and host communities. Different projects such as raising awareness on safe migration, providing sustainable alternative livelihoods and employment opportunities have been implemented for this purpose in all three zones; Somaliland, Puntland and South Central Somalia. 

IOM is enhancing the government's border management capacities and further investigating the occurrence of human trafficking in the region. This is done by collaborating and working closely with immigration officials on the ground including building their capacities to enable them to detect, investigate, report and prosecute the offenders. Awareness-raising is also being conducted for the general public to sensitize them on the realities of human trafficking.

In addition, IOM through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects is providing access to safe and high quality water through appropriate, newly available technology as well as through the use of Private Public Partnership (PPP). IOM is also providing access to basic health care services and ensuring the protection of MMPs by using innovative approaches such as the use of solar lanterns within IDP settlements as a way to respond to Gender Based Violence (GBV). Through collaboration with UN, international and local partners IOM implements GBV projects on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), rape, domestic violence, forced marriages through awareness-raising among the IDPs and host communities, provision of psychosocial support, referral of GBV cases for medical support and access to justice for the survivors.

IOM is also involved in skills transfer of Somali diaspora experts who are placed in local institutions to train and enhance the capacity of local authorities.