Djibouti Celebrates International Migrants Day (IMD) 2023 in Obock
Mudasir, a young Ethiopian migrant is reciting a poem he wrote to express the feelings he experienced along his journey. © IOM Djibouti 2023 / Laëtitia Romain
In celebration of International Migrants Day 2023 and under the theme “Act Today”, IOM Djibouti and the office of the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Djibouti collaborated to organize a celebration at the Migration Response Center (MRC) in Obock, located to the north of Djibouti City.
On International Migrants Day, migrants, host communities, local authorities and UN partners walk together towards the MRC in Obock. © IOM Djibouti 2023 / Laëtitia Romain
Before the event, the participants embarked on a symbolic one-kilometer march toward the entrance of the MRC. This march symbolized the journey of migrants on the Eastern Route, which is recognized as one of the world's busiest, most complex, and perilous migration paths. Each year, tens of thousands of African migrants undertake this hazardous journey through Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Yemen on their way to the Gulf States in search of a better future. Support for migrants and the host community along this route is coordinated through the Regional Migrant Response Plan (MRP) for the Horn of Africa to Yemen and Southern Africa.
The event celebrated the day with artistic, cultural, and sports activities, uniting migrants, the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Djibouti, the Head of UNHCR, IOM staff, local authorities, the Prefet, the Deputy President of the Regional Council, and the local community.
Doctor Youssouf and the Prefect of Obock are handing over a young plant to the director of the local high school, in the name of the migrants hosted in the MRC, who have been growing seeds in the MRC’s plant nursery. © IOM Djibouti 2023 / Laëtitia Romain
Obock, located along the Eastern Route, is notable as one of the regions where climate change significantly impacts human mobility. As a gesture of environmental protection, migrants presented young plants grown at the MRC to local partners.
"Our plant nursery provides migrants an opportunity to learn gardening while contributing to the preservation of the local environment. It is our way of thanking the host communities of Obock and Djibouti," emphasized Dr. Youssouf Moussa, head of the MRC.
Poems by high school students, young migrants, and a short play were presented to share the experience of migration along the Eastern Route. While a celebratory meal was offered to additional migrants who were not sheltered in the MRC.
Mudasir, one of the young migrants, authored a poem entitled “Immigration”. An extract from the poem read: "IOM makes us feel equal, all people are equal for IOM. Here today, I feel free. I faced a lot of difficulties during my travel. Here I'm free from fear, from negative thoughts."
The Regional Migrant Response Plan (MRP) for the Horn of Africa to Yemen and Southern Africa, coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), consists of 48 partners, including Member States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), UN and non-UN partners.
Djibouti Celebrates International Migrants Day (IMD) 2023 in Obock
Mudasir, a young Ethiopian migrant is reciting a poem he wrote to express the feelings he experienced along his journey. © IOM Djibouti 2023 / Laëtitia Romain
In celebration of International Migrants Day 2023 and under the theme “Act Today”, IOM Djibouti and the office of the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Djibouti collaborated to organize a celebration at the Migration Response Center (MRC) in Obock, located to the north of Djibouti City.
On International Migrants Day, migrants, host communities, local authorities and UN partners walk together towards the MRC in Obock. © IOM Djibouti 2023 / Laëtitia Romain
Before the event, the participants embarked on a symbolic one-kilometer march toward the entrance of the MRC. This march symbolized the journey of migrants on the Eastern Route, which is recognized as one of the world's busiest, most complex, and perilous migration paths. Each year, tens of thousands of African migrants undertake this hazardous journey through Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Yemen on their way to the Gulf States in search of a better future. Support for migrants and the host community along this route is coordinated through the Regional Migrant Response Plan (MRP) for the Horn of Africa to Yemen and Southern Africa.
The event celebrated the day with artistic, cultural, and sports activities, uniting migrants, the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Djibouti, the Head of UNHCR, IOM staff, local authorities, the Prefet, the Deputy President of the Regional Council, and the local community.
Doctor Youssouf and the Prefect of Obock are handing over a young plant to the director of the local high school, in the name of the migrants hosted in the MRC, who have been growing seeds in the MRC’s plant nursery. © IOM Djibouti 2023 / Laëtitia Romain
Obock, located along the Eastern Route, is notable as one of the regions where climate change significantly impacts human mobility. As a gesture of environmental protection, migrants presented young plants grown at the MRC to local partners.
"Our plant nursery provides migrants an opportunity to learn gardening while contributing to the preservation of the local environment. It is our way of thanking the host communities of Obock and Djibouti," emphasized Dr. Youssouf Moussa, head of the MRC.
Poems by high school students, young migrants, and a short play were presented to share the experience of migration along the Eastern Route. While a celebratory meal was offered to additional migrants who were not sheltered in the MRC.
Mudasir, one of the young migrants, authored a poem entitled “Immigration”. An extract from the poem read: "IOM makes us feel equal, all people are equal for IOM. Here today, I feel free. I faced a lot of difficulties during my travel. Here I'm free from fear, from negative thoughts."
The Regional Migrant Response Plan (MRP) for the Horn of Africa to Yemen and Southern Africa, coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), consists of 48 partners, including Member States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), UN and non-UN partners.
Djibouti Celebrates International Migrants Day (IMD) 2023 in Obock
Djibouti Celebrates International Migrants Day (IMD) 2023 in Obock
Mudasir, a young Ethiopian migrant is reciting a poem he wrote to express the feelings he experienced along his journey. © IOM Djibouti 2023 / Laëtitia Romain
In celebration of International Migrants Day 2023 and under the theme “Act Today”, IOM Djibouti and the office of the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Djibouti collaborated to organize a celebration at the Migration Response Center (MRC) in Obock, located to the north of Djibouti City.
On International Migrants Day, migrants, host communities, local authorities and UN partners walk together towards the MRC in Obock. © IOM Djibouti 2023 / Laëtitia Romain
Before the event, the participants embarked on a symbolic one-kilometer march toward the entrance of the MRC. This march symbolized the journey of migrants on the Eastern Route, which is recognized as one of the world's busiest, most complex, and perilous migration paths. Each year, tens of thousands of African migrants undertake this hazardous journey through Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Yemen on their way to the Gulf States in search of a better future. Support for migrants and the host community along this route is coordinated through the Regional Migrant Response Plan (MRP) for the Horn of Africa to Yemen and Southern Africa.
The event celebrated the day with artistic, cultural, and sports activities, uniting migrants, the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Djibouti, the Head of UNHCR, IOM staff, local authorities, the Prefet, the Deputy President of the Regional Council, and the local community.
Doctor Youssouf and the Prefect of Obock are handing over a young plant to the director of the local high school, in the name of the migrants hosted in the MRC, who have been growing seeds in the MRC’s plant nursery. © IOM Djibouti 2023 / Laëtitia Romain
Obock, located along the Eastern Route, is notable as one of the regions where climate change significantly impacts human mobility. As a gesture of environmental protection, migrants presented young plants grown at the MRC to local partners.
"Our plant nursery provides migrants an opportunity to learn gardening while contributing to the preservation of the local environment. It is our way of thanking the host communities of Obock and Djibouti," emphasized Dr. Youssouf Moussa, head of the MRC.
Poems by high school students, young migrants, and a short play were presented to share the experience of migration along the Eastern Route. While a celebratory meal was offered to additional migrants who were not sheltered in the MRC.
Mudasir, one of the young migrants, authored a poem entitled “Immigration”. An extract from the poem read: "IOM makes us feel equal, all people are equal for IOM. Here today, I feel free. I faced a lot of difficulties during my travel. Here I'm free from fear, from negative thoughts."
The Regional Migrant Response Plan (MRP) for the Horn of Africa to Yemen and Southern Africa, coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), consists of 48 partners, including Member States, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), UN and non-UN partners.