IN S IDE TH I S I S SUE :INS IDE TH I S I S SUE :INS IDE TH I S I S SUE :INS IDE TH I S I S SUE :

MRF NAIROBI BULLETIN O C T O B E R 2 0 0 8O C T O B E R 2 0 0 8O C T O B E R 2 0 0 8O C T O B E R 2 0 0 8 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3

“Every house has a story behind it”. This is

what IOM’s Robert Odhiambo had to say in

regard to the houses that were destroyed

during Kenya’s post-election violence. IOM,

with funding from United Nation’s Emer-

gency Response Fund (CERF) is currently

putting up 700 low cost housing for inter-

nally displaced persons in in Molo, Uasin

Gishu and Lugari Districts in the Rift Valley

Province.

The Low Cost Shelter Project was officially

launched by the Minister of State for Special

Programmes, Hon. Dr. Naomi Shaban. The

Minister expressed the government’s

appreciation towards IOM for the support

they have given and continue to give to the

government and the people who were af-

fected by the violence.

IOM’s Regional Representative for Eastern

and Central Africa, Mr. Ashraf El Nour,

while handing over the keys of the com-

pleted houses to the beneficiaries, re-

emphasized IOM’s support by reiterating the

organization’s will to continue its work with

the government and other partner agencies,

as they endeavour to bring stabilization back to

the lives and communities that were disrupted by

the violence.

Mr. El Nour said that IOM was working in part-

nership with the community and they were ac-

tively involved in the construction of the houses.

He added that, “in order to boost the local econ-

omy, IOM is purchasing most of the construction

material locally and giving the local community

cash for work.”

The beneficiaries were happy with the shelters

and said they could not be compared to the tents

they have lived in since the violence rendered

them homeless.

The formation of the Grand Coalition

Government saw a relative return to normalcy

with the government encouraging the internally

displaced persons to return home. According to

government sources, over 200,000 IDPs have left

camps and host communities, moving closer to

their pre-displacement homes, mainly in the Rift

Valley. It is however estimated that 60% of all the

IDPs are returning to damaged or completely de-

stroyed homes.

IOM LAUNCHES LOW COST SHELTERS FOR IDPs IN RIFT VALLEY IOM LAUNCHES LOW COST SHELTERS FOR IDPs IN RIFT VALLEY IOM LAUNCHES LOW COST SHELTERS FOR IDPs IN RIFT VALLEY IOM LAUNCHES LOW COST SHELTERS FOR IDPs IN RIFT VALLEY

IOM Launches Low Cost IOM Launches Low Cost IOM Launches Low Cost IOM Launches Low Cost

Housing for IDPs in Rift Housing for IDPs in Rift Housing for IDPs in Rift Housing for IDPs in Rift

Valley Valley Valley Valley

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IOM and Uganda’s IOM and Uganda’s IOM and Uganda’s IOM and Uganda’s

Amnesty Commission Amnesty Commission Amnesty Commission Amnesty Commission

Support Traditional Support Traditional Support Traditional Support Traditional

Cleansing CeremonyCleansing CeremonyCleansing CeremonyCleansing Ceremony

2222

“UWE SAUTI YAO” “UWE SAUTI YAO” “UWE SAUTI YAO” “UWE SAUTI YAO”

Takes to the StreetsTakes to the StreetsTakes to the StreetsTakes to the Streets

2222

IOM Conducts Training IOM Conducts Training IOM Conducts Training IOM Conducts Training

on Counter Trafficking on Counter Trafficking on Counter Trafficking on Counter Trafficking

for Partners and Media for Partners and Media for Partners and Media for Partners and Media

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Vaccination For Migrants Vaccination For Migrants Vaccination For Migrants Vaccination For Migrants

Well ReceivedWell ReceivedWell ReceivedWell Received

3333

“Come Back Home” “Come Back Home” “Come Back Home” “Come Back Home”

Nairobi Returnees Call Nairobi Returnees Call Nairobi Returnees Call Nairobi Returnees Call

Out to Kenyans AbroadOut to Kenyans AbroadOut to Kenyans AbroadOut to Kenyans Abroad

4444

IOM Conducts Gender IOM Conducts Gender IOM Conducts Gender IOM Conducts Gender

training Workshoptraining Workshoptraining Workshoptraining Workshop

4444

IOM Helsinki Launches IOM Helsinki Launches IOM Helsinki Launches IOM Helsinki Launches

MIDA Health Project For MIDA Health Project For MIDA Health Project For MIDA Health Project For

Somaliland and PuntlandSomaliland and PuntlandSomaliland and PuntlandSomaliland and Puntland

4444

International Organization for MigrationInternational Organization for MigrationInternational Organization for MigrationInternational Organization for Migration

Mission with Regional Functions, NairobiMission with Regional Functions, NairobiMission with Regional Functions, NairobiMission with Regional Functions, Nairobi

Church Road, Off Rhapta Road, WestlandsChurch Road, Off Rhapta Road, WestlandsChurch Road, Off Rhapta Road, WestlandsChurch Road, Off Rhapta Road, Westlands

PO Box 55040PO Box 55040PO Box 55040PO Box 55040---- 00200 00200 00200 00200----Nairobi, Nairobi, Nairobi, Nairobi, KENYAKENYAKENYAKENYA

Phone: + Phone: + Phone: + Phone: + 254 20 4444167/174 254 20 4444167/174 254 20 4444167/174 254 20 4444167/174

Fax: + Fax: + Fax: + Fax: + 254 20 4449577254 20 4449577254 20 4449577254 20 4449577

EEEE----mail: mail: mail: mail: mrfnairobi@iom.intmrfnairobi@iom.intmrfnairobi@iom.intmrfnairobi@iom.int

Website: www.iom.intWebsite: www.iom.intWebsite: www.iom.intWebsite: www.iom.int

Minster Shaban and Mr. El Nour hand over keys to a beneficiary.

A beneficiary is overcome by emotion as she remembers

how her husband was killed during the violence

P A G E 2 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3

IOM in Uganda recently facilitated the return of six ex-

Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) combatants in Uganda and a

traditional cleansing ceremony held for them by the com-

munity.

The ceremony that took place at the Paramount Chief of

Acholi’s palace was to welcome and commence the

reintegration of the former LRA combatants, supporters

and abducted victims back into their communities.

IOM through the Amnesty Commission is facilitating these

cleansing ceremonies while recognizing the roles of the

traditional, religious and local leaders along with other key

partners in the acceptance of returning former combatants

and their dependants. These community leaders play a

critical role in conflict resolution and peace building in the

areas of return.

One regional cleansing ceremony has so far been conducted

in Gulu District while four other ceremonies have been

carried out in sub-county levels in Pader and Kitgum in the

Acholi region in the North and one in Soroti Teso region in

the Eastern part of Uganda.

The cleansing ceremony entails the ex combatants stepping

on an egg placed between a reed called Opobo and a gran-

ary stick.

The egg between the reeds symbolize the cleansing of bad

omens that one might have got while in abduction or rebel-

lion. The granary stick symbolizes the opening of the food

granary for the ex-combatants to share once again with the

family.

IOM Tanzania carried out fourteen theater shows

throughout the month of August in nine districts of

Tanzania within six different regions, as an activity

within its UWE SAUTI YAO (Be their voice)

campaign.

The shows, which used community participatory

theatre in Kiswahili, intended to make the local public

aware of the risks associated with human trafficking. It

also involved the public in an open discussion at the

end of the show. To increase community participation,

IOM Tanzania arranged the shows to be enacted at

public places, such as bus stops and local markets. . . . The

different shows were well attended and received posi-

tive response by the audience.

IOM Tanzania contracted a professional theatre group

to assist in the production shows. Messages on

trafficking in persons were passed through songs and

dance, each bearing the theme “Uwe Sauti Yao”.

IOM Tanzania has been implementing a counter

trafficking initiative through a method of protection,

prevention and prosecution. The UWE SAUTI YAO

campaign aims to get in touch with people in the

community that have a voice in reprimanding the

trafficking of people. It is these people who have the

ability to make a change in the community. The

awareness campaign has resulted in more people con-

tacting IOM offices for information on human traffick-

ing and to report cases that they believe involves traf-

ficking of human beings.

“UWE SAUTI YAO” TAKES TO THE STREETS“UWE SAUTI YAO” TAKES TO THE STREETS“UWE SAUTI YAO” TAKES TO THE STREETS“UWE SAUTI YAO” TAKES TO THE STREETS

‘Uwe Sauti Yao’ theater group performs to the public

IOM AND UGANDA’S AMNESTY COMMISSION IOM AND UGANDA’S AMNESTY COMMISSION IOM AND UGANDA’S AMNESTY COMMISSION IOM AND UGANDA’S AMNESTY COMMISSION

SUPPORT TRADITIONAL CLEANSING CEREMONYSUPPORT TRADITIONAL CLEANSING CEREMONYSUPPORT TRADITIONAL CLEANSING CEREMONYSUPPORT TRADITIONAL CLEANSING CEREMONY

Ex– LRA

combatants

undergoing

cleansing.

IOM Kenya has continued to receive requests for

partnerships with media houses and NGO partners as

a means of intensifying its anti-human trafficking

campaign, launched in June 2008.

In response, IOM held a one day introductory train-

ing session in August targeting 15 Non Governmental

Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organiza-

tions (CBOs) and Faith Based Organizations FBOs), to

train participants on various means of combating hu-

man trafficking. These organizations are partners of

IOM involved in assisting vulnerable populations,

including victims of human trafficking. The training

gave participants an opportunity to interact with one

another in their various capacities as service providers

for victims of trafficking.

Separately, IOM held a training workshop for jour-

nalists, in partnership with the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK). The workshop aimed to empower the

journalists on how to approach and write stories on trafficking of persons, while protecting the rights and identity of the

victim.

IOM recognizes the role the media plays as an important vehicle of dissemination and with this workshop, hoped to equip

the journalists with skills that would successfully bring issues of human trafficking to the notice of the public and policy

makers.

V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3 P A G E 3

IOM’s Noela Barasa gives a talk to journalists on human trafficking

The IOM Eastleigh Community Wellness Centre in Nairobi has been a beehive of activity since the July 2008 launch of

vaccination campaigns for urban migrants and refugees. The centre also offers VCCT and comprehensive care for tubercu-

losis and HIV/AIDS.

Vaccination campaigns are provided monthly in joint partnership between IOM and the district health office, and were

initiated after the health authorities and local communities recognized

the urgent need to improve access of migrant populations to basic

health services.

Rosalind Kariuki, an IOM counsellor at the Wellness Centre says “the

facility is popular with the urban migrants and refugees in Eastleigh,

based on the fact that they see IOM as an icon in resettlement.”

After five years of offering tuberculosis services in Eastleigh, IOM has

expanded the clinic and moved to a location more accessible for local

Kenyans and marginalized target groups, the vast majority of whom are

undocumented international migrants.

The community is characterized by high levels of mobility, potential for disease outbreaks, and poor access to health pro-

motion services due to immigration status, language differences, and socio-cultural barriers.

IOM and government partners believe that maintaining the health of migrants will also have a positive effect on host com-

munities. Through the Wellness Centre, IOM is able to execute its core mandate of building Member State capacity to man-

age migration health, through developing, coordinating, and providing “migrant-friendly” services.

IOM CONDUCTS INTRODUCTORY TRAINING ON COUNTER TRAFFICKINGIOM CONDUCTS INTRODUCTORY TRAINING ON COUNTER TRAFFICKINGIOM CONDUCTS INTRODUCTORY TRAINING ON COUNTER TRAFFICKINGIOM CONDUCTS INTRODUCTORY TRAINING ON COUNTER TRAFFICKING

VACCINATION FOR MIGRANTS WELL RECIEVEDVACCINATION FOR MIGRANTS WELL RECIEVEDVACCINATION FOR MIGRANTS WELL RECIEVEDVACCINATION FOR MIGRANTS WELL RECIEVED

A patient is given medication at the Eastleigh Community Wellness Centre

“IOM can help you return home and there are better

opportunities here too,” was the call that returnees in

Nairobi sent out to Kenyans in the UK through a live video

link between Nairobi and London.

The video conference was an initiative of IOM London

in collaboration with IOM Nairobi, through the Voluntary

Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP).

Through VAARP, IOM assists migrants to return home and

facilitates activities aimed at helping them get reintegrated

back into their communities.

While calling out to their colleagues to come home, the

returnees expressed their appreciation at IOM’s efforts, as

going back home they say was a move that has greatly paid

off.

“Through VARRP IOM has facilitated the return of several

Kenyans who failed to secure asylum in the UK and had no

means to return home. IOM also helps the returnees start

life anew by helping them start their own businesses or pay-

ing fee for vocational training for them”, says Mariana Kipsy,

IOM Kenya’s Assisted Voluntary Return Assistant.

“COME BACK HOME”, NAIROBI RETURNEES “COME BACK HOME”, NAIROBI RETURNEES “COME BACK HOME”, NAIROBI RETURNEES “COME BACK HOME”, NAIROBI RETURNEES

CALL OUT TO KENYANS ABROADCALL OUT TO KENYANS ABROADCALL OUT TO KENYANS ABROADCALL OUT TO KENYANS ABROAD

Kenyans in London listen to Nairobi returnees via video link

The drive to main-

stream gender issues in

MRF Nairobi activities

received a major boost

after a gender training

workshop that was

held in IOM Nairobi

last month.

The workshop that

was held at IOM

Nairobi offices was aimed at creating a common under-

standing among IOM MRF staff on basic gender concepts

and gender analysis frameworks; enhance IOM MRF staff

appreciation of global and regional issues on gender and to

equip IOM MRF staff with practical skills on mainstream-

ing gender in IOM projects

While opening the gender workshop, the IOM’s Regional

Representative for East and Central Africa, Mr. Ashraf

El Nour acknowledged that a gender-sensitive approach to

migration management is one of the ways of ensuring that

IOM’s programmes adequately meet the needs of both

women and men migrants. He noted that women consti-

tute a substantial proportion of migrants and that it was

IOM’s mandate to make sure all projects and programmes

were gender sensitive.

Mr. El Nour emphasized that IOM has long standing com-

mitment to provide equal opportunities to men and

women and has made great strides in mainstreaming gen-

der into all its projects thereby increasing the pro-

grammes’ efficiency and relevance.

The workshop was an IOM Kenya initiative in partnership

with UNOCHA, Food and Agricultural Organization

(FAO) and United Nations Development Fund for Women.

V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 3 P A G E 4

IOM CONDUCTS GENDER TRAINING WORKSHOPIOM CONDUCTS GENDER TRAINING WORKSHOPIOM CONDUCTS GENDER TRAINING WORKSHOPIOM CONDUCTS GENDER TRAINING WORKSHOP

Participants at the workshop act out gender roles

IOM Helsinki, on 21st of August, launched the MIDA Health

Somaliland-Puntland pilot project, which aims to strengthen the

human resource base of the regions’ public and private health-care

institutions.

The launch was chaired by IOM’s project coordination team,

Saed Guled and Juan Reyes, and brought together 30 prospective

health care professionals from the Finland-based Somali Diaspora,

representatives from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IOM

Helsinki to discuss various ways of implementing the project.

The project aims to contribute to the reconstruction and capacity

building of the human resource base health sectors of Somaliland and

Puntland.

IOM LAUNCHES MIDA SOMALILAND AND PUNTLAND HEALTH PROJECT IN HELSINKIIOM LAUNCHES MIDA SOMALILAND AND PUNTLAND HEALTH PROJECT IN HELSINKIIOM LAUNCHES MIDA SOMALILAND AND PUNTLAND HEALTH PROJECT IN HELSINKIIOM LAUNCHES MIDA SOMALILAND AND PUNTLAND HEALTH PROJECT IN HELSINKI

IOM Finland’s RR Mr. Thomas Wiess opens the launch