Under the project Africa Regional Migration Program Phase X East and Horn of Africa funded by the State Department Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration (BPRM) of the United States of America (USA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations (UN) Migration Agency donated motorcycle and border patrol gear to the Tanzanian Immigration Services Department (TISD) of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The donation was made with the aim of boosting TISD’s capacity in conducting border patrols, particularly at unofficial border crossing points.

The donation of these gear, which is among the project deliverables, aims to support the Border Management and Control section of TISD to increase their capacity to reduce irregular migration and strengthen cross-border cooperation along its border crossings especially the non-official ones.

It consisted of five Honda XL125 Motorcycles, six pairs of High-Magnification Infrared Binoculars, eight camping tents, 18 First-Aid Kits and 18 torches worth over USD 25,000.

The hand over which took place in Dodoma, the Capital of the United Republic of Tanzania, was done by the IOM Chief of Mission (CoM) to the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Qasim Sufi, on behalf of IOM and the Commissioner General of Immigration (CGI), Dr Anna Makakala receiving the donation on behalf of the Government.

“I’m very grateful for the continued support to the Immigration Services Department from IOM, the United Nations Migration Agency, that will boost our capacity to manage our borders, hence, address challenges associated with irregular migration including migrant smuggling and human trafficking and increasing safety and security at our border crossings”, said Dr Anna Makakala, CGI of the United Republic of Tanzania.

“IOM is pleased to support the Department of Immigration Services (TISD) to improve migration management in the United Republic of Tanzania through the management of its borders especially the non-official border crossings” said Dr Qasim Sufi, IOM CoM to the United Republic of Tanzania.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. David Hofmeijer at dhofmeijer@iom.int or tel.: +255 699 674 975

Ms. Lucy Mseke at lmseke@iom.int or tel.: +255 721 943 637