INTRODUCTION
Throughout the Sahel region, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and other displaced persons embark on perilous and challenging journeys in pursuit of safety or improved livelihoods. Whether on land or at sea, individuals encounter numerous threats to their lives, dignity, and human rights. Tragically, many perish or become lost, while others endure harm, abuse, and exploitation along the way.
Migrants may struggle to access food, water, healthcare, information and other essential needs along their journeys. Migrants may face discrimination and stigma and lose connection with family and friends.
In recent years we have seen major migratory movements along the Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands (Spain), while others cross the Sahara in the hope of reaching and crossing the Mediterranean Sea. With the hope of reaching Europe, many migrants may become stranded in transit countries, susceptible to severe conditions along the route. For a significant proportion of migrants, returning home becomes the only option for their survival. They choose to 'voluntarily' return home due to lack of opportunities and difficulties experienced in the country of transit or destination.
Many migrants succeed in establishing themselves in their new communities, but others – those at the centre of our attention – face difficulties. Outside their traditional support systems, they often are unable to access health and social services that respect their essential needs and dignity.
The IFRC network recognises that these migrants returning to their place of origin or in transit, in many instances arrive with no assets, no means of employment and debts accumulated to fund their migration journey. They may lack immediate basic support, including access to water, shelter, hygiene, and may need psychosocial support and support to contact their family members. Others may face loss of social status, shame and stigmatisation in their communities of return and may need reintegration support. Many returning migrants need their own source of income to break the cycle of dependency. There is a need for more predictable, sustainable and dignified support to the most vulnerable returning migrants.
The following document sets out an initiative for the IFRC network in the Sahel to scale up activities and collective engagement by strengthening livelihood support for returning migrants, and addressing issues of stigma, marginalisation and mental health and psychosocial support.