Algeria, IOM Sign Agreement on Facility for Migrants’ Voluntary Return
Algeria and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) signed an agreement on Tuesday evening for the use of the Airport Hotel in Dar El Beida, Algiers, to accommodate irregular migrants registered under the Voluntary Return and Reintegration Assistance Program to their countries of origin.
The signing ceremony, held at the headquarters of the Wilaya of Algiers, was overseen by Algerian Minister of the Interior, Local Authorities and Transport, Said Sayoud, alongside IOM Director General Amy Pope, in the presence of the Governor of Algiers, Abdelnour Rabhi, and representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria.
In a press statement, Sayoud said the visit of the IOM Director General “allowed her to review the considerable resources mobilized by the Algerian state to care for irregular migrants”. Discussions also addressed efforts and measures aimed at curbing irregular migration.
He stressed the need to address irregular migration at the level of countries of origin, noting that the IOM official “expressed her satisfaction with the material and human resources mobilized by Algeria to assist irregular migrants across the national territory”.
Sayoud affirmed that Algeria “will continue to work with international organizations, neighboring countries and Mediterranean states to address the phenomenon of irregular migration”.
For her part, Amy Pope praised Algeria’s “responsible and humane management” of the irregular migration file and the mobilization of significant resources, expressing her readiness to further develop cooperation with Algeria to find lasting solutions to the phenomenon.
On the occasion, the Minister of the Interior was honored by the IOM in recognition of his support for the organization’s programs in Algeria. A video highlighting Algeria’s efforts in managing irregular migration within a humanitarian approach, in implementation of the instructions of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, was also screened.
Earlier, the IOM Director General visited the Airport Hotel and reviewed the facilities dedicated to accommodating irregular migrants and ensuring their comfort.
