Monrovia- The International Organization on Migration Liberia, through its Migrants, As Messenger program has embarked on massive awareness activities against irregular migration and the need to travel safely.
The awareness is part of Migrants As Messengers (MAM) Caravan 2021, using sports, entertainment and community engagements, among others to provide information among Liberians, mostly the youthful population on making informed decisions on traveling through the proper channel.
As part of its Caravan 2021 through community engagement, MAM ended a one-day football tournament in Monrovia for disadvantaged youth who are reportedly among the numbers of people seek opportunities for better livelihood abroad. The tournament which featured several communities in Monrovia was held on Sunday, November 21.
Speaking at the daylong football tournament, Youth and Sports Minister D. Zeogar Wilson said as an arm of government, it was important to support programs that will encourage citizens to use the rightful medium to travel, instead of using irregular means.
“Youths form a part of the majority of those who traveled irregularly and it is informed that such an occasion is organized to have them informed,” Minister Wilson noted.
At the same time, IOM Country Coordinator, Mohammed Diallo said those involved with irregular traveling are constantly found doing so because they were not informed of the danger irregular traveling poses to them.
According to Mr. Diallo, if young people are provided the rightful information to desist irregular migration, and how to use the proper channel, it would put them on track during the migration process.
Mr. Diallo then encouraged those in the country who have the desire to travel to do so, through the proper medium, instead of the irregular means.
In addition, as part of the 2021 Caravan, MAM organized a one-day beach jamboree with Liberian Artists, performing and educating citizens on the importance of traveling through the rightful means.
The Caravan was organized under the theme, “Safe Migration Saves Life”. It brought together disadvantaged youths from across Monrovia.
For his part, Migrant as Messenger Liberia Focal Person, Tamba Siafa during the beach jamboree held at Miami Beach in Paynesville, Sunday evening with Liberian Musicians, called on Liberians to do away with issues of irregular migration.
Tamba said Liberian wanting to travel should go through the proper channel. According to him, the purpose of the caravan is to raise awareness against illegal traveling.
“People should get their birth certificate, passport, and other relevant documents as well as know about their traveling destination, before leaving the country,” Tamba noted.
Tamba, at the same time called on citizens not to allow themselves to be misinformed by others that their job is across the ocean waiting for them. He called on people to make informed decisions before traveling, stressing that safe migration safe lives around the world.
Also speaking at the jamboree, a Returnee, Tamba Mail called on Liberians to remain in the country and make a difference. According to him, the solution to the difficulty in life is not irregular migration, as such, people should get involved with things that will better their lives.
Mail at the same time narrated how life was terrible for him after he was misled by friends in North Africa that job market, something that was contrary to what he met on grounds.