June 21, 2024 (Mombasa, Kenya): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has opened a Cross border Training on Health Border and Mobility Management in the Horn of Africa, in Mombasa, Kenya.
The main objective of the last three day training is to familiarize participants with the importance of the relationship between mobility and health, including population mobility patterns, in the prevention, detection, and control of communicable disease outbreaks, including at borders.
In his opening remarks, Dr Girum Hailu, Senior Policy and Partnership Specialist, in IGAD Health Emergency preparedness Response and Resilience –MPA project disclosed that the cross border areas are ports of entry, routes for migrants and trade zones that needs high attention .
In addition he said that the collaboration between IGAD and IOM to address special needs of migrants Refugees, IDPs and Host communities will continue in the years to come.
Dr. Viviane Kuissi, IOM Regional Migration Health Specialist, in his part described that IOM is committed in supporting countries in the Horn of Africa to strengthen their capacity to prevent, detect and respond to communicable disease outbreaks across the mobility continuum.
“Through this partnership with IGAD, we are not only strengthening Halt infrastructure, but also promoting regional cooperation and capacity building, which are essential for sustainable Migration Management “, he added.
It is stated on the occasion that the joint training program will help IGAD and IOM to maintain their collaboration during 2024 on disease surveillance at cross-borders.
The IGAD Health Emergency preparedness Response and Resilience –MPA project is supported by the World Bank.
The joint training program brought together key stakeholders for the health of migrants from Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia to actively participate in and engage in epidemic disease surveillance and response activities at the cross borders and to meet their public health commitments under the IHR and strengthen mobility-sensitive health systems and preparedness for response to public health threats.
It’s to be recalled that in 2021 the I IGAD and IOM signed a Memorandum of Understanding where health is among the critical components including mutual support to strengthen cross-border health issues.
