February 21, 2023, (BALBALA, Djibouti): The intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) participated on the corner stone laying event for the construction of Orientation Center parallel to the 45th anniversary celebration of the ONARS (Djibouti Refugee Agency).
On his congratulation remarks, His Excellency Mr. SAID NOUH HASSAN Minister, Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Djibouti disclosed that Djibouti is now engaged in a process of inclusion of refugees in the national socio-economic fabric. The country is considered as a model in successfully implementing the Comprehensive Framework of Action for Refugees.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary of IGAD, and Director for Health and Social Development, Regional Migration Fund Coordinator, Mr. Ibrahim Kasso, said that IGAD region is the origin, transit and destination for millions of migrant is people. It is also the region with the highest number of refugees originated from and hosted in. Djibouti is one of IGAD Member States hosting thousands of refugees for many decades through its open-door policy. The growing number of refugees in the region through time also necessitate sustainable basic service provisions and economic opportunities for mutual co-existence with the host communities.
The coordinator added that the orientation centre, whose construction work officially commence today on this special event is the first investment project under IGAD’s Regional Migration Fund initiative. The centre is expected to enhance ONARS capacity in terms of providing timely and necessary orientation, registration, information and guidance for migrants and refugees population regarding the available legal system and economic opportunities in the country in a formal way.
Madam Karin, Charge De Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany to Djibouti on behalf the Ambassador Heike Fuller said Germany is hosting over a million of refugees from Syria and Ukraine.
IGAD’s Regional Migration Fund (RMF) is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW (German Development Bank).
The event was attended by representatives from UNHCR, WFP, UNDP, government ministries, community groups and local partners operating in Djibouti.
