Mali 
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Facts and Figures
Latest News Overview Traditionally, Mali has always been, and continues to be at the crossroads of migration in West Africa. It is also the country of origin of many migrants, regular and irregular, travelling to neighbouring countries and to other regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Maghreb and Europe. The central position of Mali, coupled with its history and the permeability of borders, renders this country vulnerable to emigration and immigration flows, with all the challenges but also the opportunities this situation presents. For many years, IOM’s main concern has been to facilitate the movement of migrants and to provide them related services, such as medical assessment and the processing of their travel documents. Gradually, over the years, the scope of its activities has expanded to include a wide range of migration management activities. Today, IOM's activities also fall within national and international policy frameworks in the areas of poverty reduction, health and the environment. They also contribute to promoting peace and security, respect for human rights, good governance and socio-economic development in Mali. On 10 October 2004, IOM signed an agreement with the Republic of Mali and since then is assisting the Malian government in the areas of refugee return and reintegration, the fight against trafficking in persons, the prevention of illegal immigration, border management, the development of a political, legislative and administrative framework for migration management, as well as on broader development issues such as health, gender equality and international migration law. As part of its activities, IOM also considers research as a vital tool to increase knowledge on overall migration issues and continues to work closely with relevant actors, such as the Government of Mali, international partners, UN agencies and civil society organizations in Mali. The IOM office in Mali falls within the supervision of the Mission with Regional Functions in Dakar, which covers 23 countries in West and Central Africa and provides support to 17 offices in the region. Migration Activities PartnersIn order to maintain its support to the Republic of Mali and to contribute to its economic growth and the search for human solutions to migration issues, IOM focuses its activities in Mali on various areas of intervention. In addition, IOM is constantly developing new initiatives in response to emerging challenges and national priorities related to migration. Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration of Migrants This programme was developed in order to establish a mechanism for assisted voluntary return and reintegration. It is implemented in successive phases subject to specific projects developed for groups of migrants whose number and nationality are predefined by the Ministry of Interior of each country of origin of the migrants and by IOM. The purpose of this programme is to alleviate suffering and to ensure the protection of human rights of irregular migrants stranded outside their territory, to contribute to strengthening intra-regional cooperation between countries of origin, transit and destination, and to strengthen the capacity of transit countries to address the challenges posed by illegal migration. In Mali, IOM facilitates the reintegration of Malian migrants, who agreed to return voluntarily from Libya, Morocco and Europe, in the socio-economic structure of their country of origin, and supports individual professional reintegration initiatives that are beneficial to the migrants, their families and local communities. IOM Mali also facilitates family reunification and the movement of recognized refugees to resettlement countries, such as the United States of America, the Netherlands and Canada. Main Projects
Trafficking in Persons PartnersBased on previous successful programmes, including the Joint Programme for the Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Child Victims of Trafficking implemented with international partners and local civil society organizations between September 2002 and July 2004 at the request of the Ministry for the Promotion of Women, Children and Family Affairs, the IOM office in Mali has increased its activities in the fight against trafficking in persons. The office plans to promote its operations aimed at providing direct assistance to child victims of trafficking by focusing on border areas particularly vulnerable to trafficking and by developing long-term reintegration assistance plans, including medical and psychological assistance upon return and developing income-generating activities that benefit both children and their families. IOM also wants to expand its capacity building activities and ensure the proper functioning of a network which is gradually developing among key actors involved in the fight against human trafficking in West Africa. Raising awareness among government officials, civil society organizations, donors, the media and the public about the fact that human trafficking does not only target minors remains a priority for IOM: indeed, in Mali, women – particularly foreign women – are also trafficked and are absent from large projects against trafficking. As well, IOM would like to continue to support the Malian government in developing its institutional framework and implementing the tools it already has (namely the National Monitoring Committee of Action Against Trafficking in Children in Mali). Main Projects
IOM has gained notable experience in assisting governments address migration management in a comprehensive and multidimensional way. In the field of migration and development, IOM's vision is to create an environment which fosters the promotion of migration as a positive force for development. In this context, IOM supports the mobilization of the Malian diaspora through the transfer of skills and know-how as well as the investment of financial resources in relation to government economic plans through the establishment of co-development relations. As well, considering the growing impact of environmental degradation and climate change on migratory flows, IOM aims to include environmental protection as a guiding principle in its future programming. Current Projects
Future Projects
Partners
In this area, IOM aims to improve the physical, psychological and social conditions of migrants by addressing their health needs at all levels of the migration process, as well as those of host communities. In particular, IOM's activities in Mali in the fight against HIV/AIDS among mobile populations and in areas with high migration potential aim at reducing the vulnerability of migrant populations and border communities to STI/HIV/AIDS. On the basis of a partnership agreement signed in November 2007 with the National High Council for the Fight Against AIDS, in collaboration with local NGOs and UN agencies, IOM Mali addresses the priorities of the National Policy Statement for the Fight Against AIDS. In this context, IOM conducts prevention and awareness activities among mobile populations, and assists in the promotion of voluntary anonymous testing and building the intervention capacity of key stakeholders. Current Projects
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Partners
In this area, the IOM office in Mali provides technical cooperation to the Malian government in strengthening its institutional capacity to manage migration, including the collection of migration data and the development of national strategic policies. In particular, IOM seeks to develop in Mali, through its activities, a common and comprehensive approach to migration to strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders and to share tools, practices and knowledge necessary to enhance decision-making related to migration management. Regarding international labour migration, IOM works closely with its national and international partners in West Africa, particularly in Mali, to encourage the effective management of the international mobility of workers and to stimulate the positive effects of labour migration on development. This theme is one of IOM’s main intervention priorities in the region for the years to come. Current Projects
Future Projects
Last updated: |
IOM Mali
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Hamdallaye ACI 2000
BP E 288
Bamako
Mali
| Tel: | +00223.2 029 76 97 |
| +00223.2 029 76 98 |
