Travel hassles basically come with the territory for sojourners across West Africa. But what 13 men and women experienced these recent weeks may set a new standard for delay.听听
Because of the COVID-19 lockdown, the plight of these travelers became a concern for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) which has assisted thousands of migrants stranded in Africa since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.听听
Their story starts in the streets of No茅, a small town located in C么te d鈥橧voire near that country鈥檚 border with Ghana. There,听13 vulnerable migrants originating from Liberia, Ghana and Sierra Leone were forced to spend more than a month seeking makeshift shelter, as well as food and medical attention after authorities in Ghana and C么te d鈥橧voire closed their respective borders to travellers.听听
The migrants, including four women and nine men, had been stranded in C么te d鈥橧voire since 22 March.听 Among the stranded migrants were bus drivers who work shuttling passengers between Liberia and Ghana, who now found themselves unable to move. Others among the stranded were traders seeking to enter C么te d鈥橧voire for commerce.听听
At first, the stranded migrants slept at the border station, although a few found temporary lodging at a small hotel. IOM became aware of their plight on 15 April, nearly four weeks after the border closure, and persuaded authorities in No茅 to repurpose two schoolrooms鈥攁lso shuttered in response to the pandemic鈥攖o safely house the men and women.听听听
On Saturday, 9 May, IOM provided food, hygiene products and other essential items to the stranded travellers. IOM also began registering those willing to return to their country of origin.听 Unfortunately,听later that same day, one man who was already ill---but not with the coronavirus-- died in the classroom听in No茅.听听
IOM relied for this aid on the support of the听, in collaboration with regional authorities and social services agencies.听To support the Ivoirian government鈥檚 COVID-19 response, IOM donated on Monday (11/05) health equipment, including thermometers, masks and hydroalcoholic solution, to improve the working conditions of frontline workers at ten land points of entry (POEs).听听
鈥淐么te d鈥橧voire has kept its borders open to ensure transportation of goods, which is vital to the country and region鈥檚 economy, but like in many other countries, borders are closed to travelers,鈥� explained Marina Schramm, IOM鈥檚 Chief of Mission in C么te d鈥橧voire. 鈥淚t is therefore crucial that agents in charge of registration at entries and exits points are trained and equipped to be able to identify and respond effectively to health risks.鈥澨�
As of 11 May, more than 1,600 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported by the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene of C么te d鈥橧voire.听
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The closure of border posts has a heavy impact on the border communities鈥� economic activities. The provision of training and equipment will enable border officials to conduct their activities safely and reopen the border posts quickly, as well as prevent and detect possible COVID-19 cases.听听听 During the month of May, border officials will be trained in how to use the equipment, as well as in the registration at crossing points and referral of suspected cases by IOM and local partners.听听 Border officials, as frontline workers in the COVID-19 response, will also be provided with registration forms that will allow for the development of a mobility profile at the different POEs. In the longer term, the equipment and training for border officials听will听help听ensure a smooth transition towards the reopening鈥夆�撯�塭ven partial鈥夆�撯�塷f C么te d鈥橧voire鈥檚 borders. 听听 This training activity is part of the project, 鈥淓nhance the capacity of C么te d鈥橧voire鈥檚 authorities to Comprehensively Address Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling鈥夆�撯�塁OCOTIP鈥� funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.听听 |
