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By Pierre Njie
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), Gambia Office has on Friday, 24th April 2020, called for migrant inclusive policy to mitigate the economic effects of post COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nations must adopt the policy as a strategy to manage migration rather than being harsh on the migrants,” said Mr. Alazas Miko IOM Communications Officer.
He made this remark during a two-day International online summit dubbed: “Migration; Post COVID-19: The role of stakeholders.”
The event was organized by the Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM).
Delivering a presentation on the theme; “Migration Management And Post Covid-19″ Mr Miko said migration management include containment the effects of COVID-19 and treatment of migrants, diaspora remittance, human trafficking, and cross border issues as part of critical areas the media must focus on to get the attention of policy makers.
He challenged the West to assist migrants in accessing health care irrespective of their status, adding that they are potential economic developers. He revealed that the recent huge fall in the diaspora remittance has posed a serious threat to the economy and developing nations.
He further called for the monitoring, welfare and protection of the refugees and security against human trafficking.
“The media must look at the under-reported issues such as the diaspora remittance. 70 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of The Gambia comes from the diaspora. The media must investigate and play up issues of food security for migrants,” he remarked.
The Gambia’s IOM Communications Officer revealed that the lockdown has slowed down many economic activities including the IOM pilot voluntary returnees’ scheme.
He said several migrants are stranded at the border posts, adding that they are vulnerable to the coronavirus because they have no access to food, quality water and drugs. Miko also disclosed the IOM Gambia office’s efforts in facilitating migrants’ voluntary return and re-integration. He said migrants needed hospitality and cautioned privileged countries to refrain from using COVID-19 as an excuse to shut borders against them.
The IOM official urged the media to show interest in reporting news from camps and detentions where refugees were kept in order to report any abuse, stigmatization and ensure that social distancing orders are observed.
“Migrants are vulnerable across the borders because of the rate of mobility. They are vulnerable actors that need protection because now borders and airports are shutdown,” he highlighted.
It would be recalled that JIFORM was formed in 2018 and held its first international migration summit in Abuja, Nigeria in 2019.
The media foundation with over 150 journalists spread across the continents had participated in several International summits both within and outside Africa.