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The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its partners have concluded the 3rd Joint Regional Technical Working Group on Return, Reintegration, Psychosocial Support and Protection in Sierra Leone’s North Region, with a focus on strengthening coordination and support for migrants and returnees.
The week-long engagement was held under the European Union-funded Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme in Sierra Leone (MPRRSA) and brought together Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), NGOs, community actors and development partners.
The meeting provided a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and joint planning on support for migrants, returnees and vulnerable communities across the region.
Discussions focused on challenges facing returnees, best practices in service delivery and practical recommendations to strengthen government ownership of migration and reintegration programmes, collaboration among MDAs, CSOs and community actors, as well as accountability and effectiveness in delivering protection, psychosocial support and sustainable reintegration services.
Organisers said the engagement reinforced their commitment to a holistic, protection-centred approach to migration management at the regional level.
“The meeting highlighted the critical role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in ensuring that returned migrants receive the support they need to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities,” a joint statement noted.
IOM and its partners also emphasised the importance of stronger coordination mechanisms to advance safe, orderly and regular migration while strengthening reintegration systems that contribute to sustainable development outcomes.
The MPRRSA programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by IOM in partnership with government institutions and civil society organisations to support migration governance across Sierra Leone.
The working group represents another step towards expanding coordinated migration support beyond Freetown to regional hubs such as the North, where many returnees resettle.
