The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) actively participated in a three-day Capacity Building training workshop organized by the International Organization of Migrants (IOM) to bolster efforts in managing migrant return and sustainable reintegration.
Mrs. Kumba Margaret Kamara, Manager of the Consumer Protection Unit at SLCAA, represented the authority at the intensive workshop held at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. The training, organized within the framework of the Migrants Protection in Sub-Saharan Africa (MPRR-SSA) Programme, aimed to fortify the capacities of various stakeholders, including governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), media outlets, and SLCAA, in effectively handling the return and reintegration of migrants.
Established by an Act of Parliament in 2008, SLCAA has maintained a collaborative relationship with IOM, facilitated through the European Union, to support migrant protection and reintegration initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa. This workshop signifies another stride in strengthening this partnership.
The overarching objective of the training was to equip participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to manage returnees and facilitate their sustainable reintegration, thereby contributing to comprehensive migration management. The initiative aligns with IOM’s efforts to establish coordinated structures in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, fostering effective migration governance and management in the country.
Key components of the workshop included sessions focused on providing coordinated socio-economic and psychosocial assistance to migrants, as well as preventing and combating irregular migration, human trafficking, and smuggling of migrants. The IOM National Migration Policy of 2022 serves as a guiding framework, emphasizing the protection of migrant rights, particularly those belonging to vulnerable groups such as victims of trafficking, asylum seekers, women, children, the elderly, youth, and persons with disabilities.
The #MPRR Programme spearheaded by IOM aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of the return and reintegration process for Sierra Leonean migrants stranded along migratory routes. Participants at the workshop represented a diverse array of stakeholders, including government ministries, departments, agencies, the private sector, NGOs, CSOs, and the media.
This collaborative effort underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to addressing migration challenges and ensuring the well-being and rights of all migrants, in line with international standards and best practices.
