Since February 2011, over 150,000 Chadian migrants returned from Libya to their communities of origin in the country. After having left behind their belongings, their friends and, in many cases, the only life they ever knew, returning migrants are faced with multitude of challenges in the communities.

They do not speak local languages; they have difficulties in adapting to the living conditions and local customs. For their relatives and friends it is equally difficult to accommodate the returnees, because they themselves are in a very vulnerable state and often feel alienated by the returning family members.

The main objective of the community-based socialization theater is to bring together returnees and hosting communities through the reintegration process in areas of high return in the country.

The theatre piece depicts curious, sad and happy moments from a community that is trying to find itself, while upholding the principle of being together as this can help it to overcome various challenges that it is facing.

The IOM Social Reintegration Project is funded by the German Government. It has been supporting the Chadian returnees from the moment they decide to leave Libya until their arrival at their communities. IOM has been providing different types of reintegration assistance with the aim of facilitating the social cohesion between returnees and hosting communities.

The event was attended by H.E. Mr. Helmut Kulitz, the German Ambassador and the IOM Chief of Mission in Chad, Dr. Qasim Sufi as well as officials and community members.

Contact:

Dr. Qasim Sufi 
Chief of Mission, IOM Chad
Office: +235 22 52 53 59/60 (Ext. 111)
Mobile: +235 62 90 06 74
Fax: +235 22 52 53 61
Email: qsufi@iom.int