Cairo, 18 December - IOM Egypt marked the International Migrants Day by organizing a community event in Cairo. Egyptians as well as migrants from the Yemeni, Sudanese, Eritrean, South Sudanese and other communities participated actively in the various initiatives conducted.

The day was celebrated with 233 individuals, adults and children, through learning and entertainment activities such as awareness raising/info campaign sessions, food and hygiene kits distribution, yoga class, face painting and kids games. Different talents were shown through theatre plays which were performed by several migrant communities and the activities/games tailored to diversely abled youth and children.

Community leaders from Eritrea, Syria, and Yemen stated “It is such an amazing day where we could all interact together, it is the opportunity where we seek our children to have the optimum fun time with their families and friends. We always look forward to collaborating with IOM on different matters that support migrant communities”.

“Every year, December 18, is celebrated as International Migrants Day and today the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Egypt seizes the opportunity to recognize the struggles of many people, women, men, girls and boys, around the world, who have left their homeland in search of a brighter future. Migrants Day is celebrated internationally all over the world to honor the human rights of migrants. The UN estimates that there are now 281 million international migrants worldwide. On this day, IOM gathers with the migrant communities to highlight the importance of cohesion, diversity and collective responsibility to create a safer and more resilient world. IOM Egypt wants to reaffirm its commitment to promote a dignified migration for all” said Mr. Laurent De Boeck, IOM Chief of Mission to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The event was made possible with the generous support of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands through Strengthening Protection and Assistance to Vulnerable and Stranded Migrants in and Transiting through North Africa (PROTECT II) and COMPASS. Also, through the European Union under Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP) and the ARMP (Africa Regional Migration Program) funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration of the US Department of State.

This initiative is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely, Goal 3: ‘Good health and wellbeing’, Goal 10: ‘Reduced inequalities’ and Goal 17: ‘Partnerships for the goals’.

For further information, please contact Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +20 101 2428 527 Email: osawwad@iom.int