140 Nigerians stranded in Sudan have returned home with the help of IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return programme, receiving support on arrival

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] group of 140 Nigerians who had been stranded in Sudan for months due to the ongoing conflict in the country has finally returned home with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

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The group arrived in Nigeria on February 27, marking the first chartered flight since the Sudan crisis began in 2023.

The returnees, who included 64 women, 36 children, and four infants under the age of 12 months, landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where they were warmly welcomed by Nigerian Government officials.

The flight was part of IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme, designed to assist migrants who have been displaced by conflict and are unable to return home on their own.

Upon arrival, the returnees were provided with post-arrival assistance, including medical attention, mental health support, and counselling, where needed.

Additionally, IOM facilitated transportation for the returnees to their final destinations within Nigeria, ensuring a safe and smooth journey back to their communities.

The organisation also emphasized its commitment to the reintegration of these individuals, offering further support tailored to their specific needs.

Bashir, one of the returnees, shared his experience of the difficult months in Sudan. “After the war, we found ourselves out in the open with no accommodation and no food.

Things kept getting tougher, and the problem was that there was no hope because the war kept going on,” he said. “We are grateful to be back home,” he added.

Since the war broke out in Sudan in 2023, over 12 million people have been displaced, with many seeking refuge either within Sudan or in neighbouring countries.

A significant number of these displaced individuals are migrants, including students, professionals, and workers who had made Sudan their home before the conflict erupted.

IOM has been working closely with various embassies, consular offices, and local authorities to coordinate protection, provide assistance, and ensure that these migrants can safely return to their home countries.

IOM Sudan Chief of Mission, Mohamed Refaat, highlighted the dire situation faced by many of these migrants. “Migrants who have transited through or are living in Sudan since the conflict began have found themselves stranded as the humanitarian situation deteriorates in the country.

Many have lost everything—documents, homes, and belongings. For many, Voluntary Humanitarian Return remains the best option for a safe journey home,” he stated.

The return flight was coordinated in close collaboration with Sudanese and Nigerian authorities, including the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan, the Sudanese Ministry of Interior, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), and Nigeria Immigration Services, along with local actors in Kano.

Ms. Paola Pace, Chief of Mission a.i. for IOM Nigeria, expressed her gratitude for the successful collaboration that made the return possible.

“We are happy to see the positive results of partnerships and cooperation in saving lives,” she said. “IOM remains committed and will continue to work tirelessly to extend support to all migrants and ensure no one is left behind.”

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The VHR charter flight was made possible with the support of the European Union through the Migrant Protection, Return, and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa.