Cairo, 17 September 2017 - The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) and the National Coordinating Committee on Combatting and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP) launched a community outreach initiative across Egypt in support of the government’s migration portfolio.

The initiative targets the six governorates with the highest numbers of irregular departures as identified by NCCPIM&TIP: Kafr Elsheikh, Behaira, Dakahleya, Gharbeya, Fayoum and Assiut. Community ambassadors from different local authorities will be trained by Outreach Egypt to enhance their capacity to disseminate key messages to children and youth on the dangers of irregular migration.

“The material for the Training of Trainers was based on the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) curriculum used to build the capacity of identified community leaders and expand their capacity to engage the target audience and raise their awareness on the dangers of irregular migration,” said Mr. Nasser Mossalam, Head of the Counter Illegal Migration Unit at NCCM.

The community ambassadors will conduct sensitization sessions in their respective communities on the dangers of irregular migration, targeting children and youth between the ages of 12 and 18. The ambassadors will further work with the children on informative plays to be performed in the communities.

“Community outreach complements the nationwide campaign. It enhances access to the target communities through close interaction and delivers the campaign messages to highlight the dangers of irregular migration” said Mr. Dabizzi, IOM Programme Manager.

This initiative supports the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals 10 Reduced Inequalities and 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. It is also in line with the objectives of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Vision 2030, particularly its social justice pillar.

For more information, please contact Mr Andrea Dabizzi, at IOM Egypt. Tel: +202-27365140, Email: iomegypt@iom.int.