Kigoma, Tanzania: The United Nations (UN) Migration Agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) conducted a four-days training workshop on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Vulnerable Migrants and Ethical Border Practices together with Ministries of Home Affairs (Immigration Service Boarder and Control Management) and Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (Social Welfare Department) from 27 to 30 August 2019 in Kigoma region.

The training workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity and collaboration between immigration and social welfare officers especially on identification, provision of assistance and protection to vulnerable migrants, including Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) Migrants.

The training sessions focused on the SOP’s for Vulnerable Migrants and Ethical Boarder Practices and SOP’s on Identification, Provision of Assistance and Protection services to Vulnerable Migrants including Victims of Trafficking. Both SOPs are part of IOM initiatives in supporting Government efforts towards improving services provided to vulnerable migrants. Additionally, participants were also taken through the Law of the Child Act, 2006 and its regulations together with the Anti- Trafficking in Persons Act (2008).

The training workshop is conducted under the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children 2017/2018-2021/2022 and the UN Kigoma Joint Programme (UNKJP) both under the United Nations Assistance Development Plan (UNDAP II), 2016 -2021.

32 frontline immigration and social welfare officials from Kibondo, Kakonko, Kasulu District Councils, Kasulu Town Council in Kigoma region have successfully attended the training workshop.

It was officiated by, Mr. Remigius Pesambili, the Regional Immigration Officer (RIO) for Kigoma region who said in his opening remarks that strengthening the knowledge and skills of border and social welfare officers with respect to provision of assistance and protection services to vulnerable migrants is of paramount importance especially in Kigoma region that borders Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He has additionally thanked IOM and UNICEF for organizing such an activity and urged to continue supporting the Government in its efforts to strengthen and improve its capacity in responding and providing services to vulnerable migrants as per required standards and in a timely manner.

For more information, please contact Ms. Enna Lutengano at elutengano@iom.int or +255713975000.