Bangladesh, Italy team up with IOM to promote safe migration

The government of Italy will assist the Bangladeshi government to strengthen overall migration management with particular focus on promoting safe migration and addressing adverse drivers of migration through funding a cooperation project.

The $ 3 million cooperation project will support vulnerable returnees to reintegrate into their communities.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will implement the tasks of reintegration in Bangladesh.

The information was disclosed from a joint press briefing organised at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE). Senior officials from MoEWOE, foreign affairs ministry, the Embassy of Italy and IOM attended the briefing.

At the briefing, Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad said, “The ministry welcomes all partners eager to support facilitating safe, orderly, regular and responsible migration including reintegration and welfare services to the migrants and returnees in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).”

Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Enrico Nunziata said that the $ 3 million contribution will focus on ensuring safe migration through information dissemination, reintegration assistance for those who return to Bangladesh under the EU-supported Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme, and addressing the socio-economic needs of communities affected by climate change.

The ambassador expressed his hope that this is the beginning of longer-term cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh on migration programming.

Mr Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, secretary (West) of foreign affairs ministry said, “WE appreciate Italy’s support for this project which targets assistance to some of the most vulnerable migrants, returnees and those affected by the impacts of climate change.”

Secretary of expatriates’ welfare ministry Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, and IOM Bangladesh’s Chief of Mission Abdusattor Esoev, among others, attended the briefing.