ADDIS ABABA – The International Labour Organization (ILO) has reaffirmed commitment to supporting refugees and communities to improve livelihoods.
Approached by The Ethiopian Herald, ILO Country Director in Ethiopia Alexio Musindo said that Ethiopia is one of the countries hosting thousands of refugees in the continent.
He stated that his organization along with governments and partners is working to improve the lives of the communities and refugees in terms of access to finance, skills development, among others.
“In addition to safeguarding the migrant workers, it has been working on providing financial loans and capacity building, business developments services that enable them to engage in any business fields,” he added.
ILO is struggling to lift out the hosting communities and refugees from their situations through various initiatives such as job opportunities, businesses and economic empowerments and others which are the focus areas of the organization, he remarked.
He said, “So far we have been facilitating and domesticating the requirements that help make financial contributions. Moreover, as migration is becoming complex and multi-faceted in the East and Horn of Africa, international partners and donors need to strengthen advocacy and financial assistance.”
As most of the migration accounting for 80% is intra-regional, cross border agreements between unions and countries would contribute a lot in addressing the problem, he said.
As of April 2023, Ethiopia has been hosting 253,616 Somali refugees and in parallel the latter has hosted 23,701 Ethiopian refugees and asylum seekers, it was learnt.
It is noted that the flow of people from every corner is characterized by mixed migration flows encompassing refugees, asylum-seekers and migrant workers. Hence, it has posed a strain on governments in regions as they struggle to cope with the large number of migrants crossing their border and moving through their countries.
“Countries in the East Africa and Horn of Africa region have increased efforts to boost migration governance at the national and regional levels based on continental and global initiatives and frameworks established to advance improved migration management.”
Therefore, ILO in partnership with other partners is currently implementing a three year program to strengthen the capacities of countries in these regions thereby alleviating the threats occur in due course of migration, it was learnt.
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
The Ethiopian Herald September 28/2023
