Africa-Press – Lesotho. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has launched a project for Socio Economic Reintegration of Returnees and other vulnerable households in migration affected areas severely impacted by the Covid-19
pandemic. Speaking at the launch this week IOM Lesotho Head of Office Erika Nishimura highlighted that the project is supported by government of Japan and its people.
She mentioned that if the pilot phase of the project becomes successful, the project will transform people’s lives in a very powerful way. Nishimura stated that IOM has been sensitizing
communities on the risk of irregular migration and its consequences including Trafficking In Persons (TIP) since 2017. She further stated that the challenges have always
been lack of choice for the poor and desperate households as they do not have money to start businesses, lack of skills and lack of job creation in Lesotho.
“However through our sensitization programme and this project we are launching today,
I am very excited as we will be able to address this root causes which were the push factors for irregular migration,” she stated. Nishimura made an example of Rwanda experience in
socio-economic reintegration of returnees over the years and how it has changed peoples’ lives as well as psychosocial well-being and facilitate reintegration
at community level. She indicated that she strongly believes that this project will bring a sustainable and progressive development of young returnees and
other vulnerable youth in target districts. She emphasized that the enjoyment they felt while working with the Ministry of Labour and Employment. “Our collaboration has deepened
when we jointly addressed the plight of vulnerable Basotho living in South Africa due to the Covid-19 impact in 2020. We do enjoy our continuous partnership
on the issue of reintegration support to returnees and other vulnerable populations who are in need of humanitarian support in Lesotho. As we launch this new
project, IOM is committed to work with you and other relevant partners to make sure the project is meaningful, brings transformative changes to the deserving
beneficiaries and facilitate reintegration of the returnees as well as other vulnerable groups in migration affected communities in Lesotho,” Nishimura indicated.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Labour and Employment Principal Secretary (PS) Matela Thabane appreciated the government of Japan for its generosity and financial support of US$676,690 (M10, 099,529.67) to Lesotho
on behalf of 200 beneficiaries for the project. “It is quite clear that families of the beneficiaries as well as the communities would reap the benefits
from this project,” he stated. Thabane indicated that it is a well-known fact that due to the geographical position of Lesotho, most people work in the South
Africa and majority of them have lost their jobs as some were not able to cross borders due to movement restrictions that were put in place. He further explained that the gesture made by the
Ministry of Social Development and the United Nations (UN) agencies in particular the IOM by supporting Basotho migrants who were stranded in SA is duly noted and highly commended.
He added that his ministry continues to support returning migrant workers with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the ministry also facilitates Covid-19 testing as recruitment centres as well as attestation
centres (District Labour Offices). Thabane stated that the Ministry of Local government and Employment’s efforts in the communities are also noted and appreciated.
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