Somalia - The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) supported the United Nations Migration Agency (IOM) to roll out two trainings on trafficking, smuggling, and human rights of migrants, returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees for the Counter Trafficking Agency of Somaliland (HAKAD) and the Somaliland Ministry of Return, Resettlement and Reintegration (MRRR) between 28-30 May 2017. The trainings were designed to enhance the capacity of these institutions to better address issues of trafficking, smuggling and migrants’ rights.

The first training targeted 16 officials from HAKAD, and it built their capacity to respond to in-flows of refugees, returnees, and migrants from Yemen. This was a follow-up to a previous workshop held in March 2017 during which IOM assisted HAKAD to conduct a problem tree analysis and to plan a response to trafficking and smuggling. The ultimate goal of this process is to develop a National Action Plan and Strategy.

The participants analyzed the problems identified in the previous workshop and agreed on the way forward by converting the problem tree into a solution tree. During the training, IOM also supported HAKAD to come up with their core objectives based on the 4P (Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership) approach. Some of the core objectives developed include awareness creation and prosecution, which will help HAKAD to better tackle issues of trafficking, smuggling and migrants’ rights in Somaliland.

Speaking during the training, HAKAD Director Saeed Abdullahi stated: “Trafficking is like a virus, and is a dangerous business that can affect youth who are engaged in irregular migration. Through this capacity building workshop, HAKAD staff can now identify and assist victims of trafficking. We can also plan our activities better, taking into consideration the potential risks of irregular migration.”

The second training targeted 40 officials from MRRR and ran from 28-30 May 2017. As a result of the training, the officials gained a better understanding of trafficking, smuggling and migrants’ rights. The officials also discussed challenges that have been brought about by the current prevailing drought.

Speaking during the training, MRRR Director General Abdinasir Haji Daud Warsame, stated: “MRRR in Somaliland is the ministry mandated to address issues of migrants, refugees and IDPs. This capacity building training is therefore important for them, as it enhances their capacity to address trafficking and human rights issues.”

These training sessions are part of a USD 10 million project that aims to enhance the protection and support of persons that fled war-torn Yemen to Somalia. The project is being implemented by IOM and UNHCR, in close coordination with the Somalia Inter-Agency Task Force on the Yemen Situation, and respective regional and local authorities.

For further information, please contact:

Nasser Alsubaie at KSrelief, Tel: +966 539186339, Email: nasser.alsubaie@ksrelief.org, or Heidrun Salzer at IOM Somalia, Tel: + 252 617722436, Email: hsalzer@iom.int