The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other development partners have embarked on a critical visit to Plantain Island.

The objective of the visit was to gather first-hand information and insights to bolster the island’s climate resilience, mitigate climatic impacts, and curb illegal migration.

The visit comes in response to alarming observations that Plantain Island has experienced significant land recession every rainy season for the past twenty years. The delegation highlighted the pressing need to address these environmental challenges to protect the island’s 4,500 residents, predominantly women and children.

The IOM Sierra Leone underscored the importance of their ongoing efforts to reintegrate returnees into their communities. Between February and April this year, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Secretariat collaborated with IOM and the West Africa Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants.

Together, they engaged in anti-trafficking initiatives across various locations.

The collaboration between the EPA and IOM is seen as a significant step towards ensuring that Plantain Island receives the national attention and resources required to address its environmental and social challenges.