A group of 140 Nigerians, long stranded in Sudan, has managed to return home with help from the International Organization for Migration under its Voluntary Humanitarian Return initiative. IOM confirmed this development in a statement released on Friday.
According to the announcement, a chartered flight—the first since the crisis in Sudan began—landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on February 27, where Nigerian government officials greeted the returnees.
The returning group included 64 women, 36 children, and four infants under 12 months old, along with migrants facing various health challenges.
“Following their return, each of the migrants received post-arrival assistance including counselling, medical attention – mental health and psychosocial support where necessary, as well as assistance for onward transportation to their final destinations. IOM and partners will also ensure their reintegration through additional support based on individual needs,” IOM stated.
“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,” said Bashir, one of the returnees. “We are grateful to be back home”, he added.
The international organization also emphasized that the conflict, which erupted in Sudan in 2023, has forced over 12 million people to leave their homes, either relocating within the country or seeking refuge in neighboring states.
“A considerable number of them were migrants, including third-country nationals who were circular workers, students and professionals who had made Sudan their home.
“As the war rages, IOM has worked closely with embassies and consular offices from various countries to coordinate protection, assistance and access to services for stranded migrants,” it added.
It was also pointed out that IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return programme offers a critical lifeline to those migrants caught in desperate circumstances, providing them a secure way back to their home countries when no alternatives exist.
The international organization noted that the VHR charter flight was executed in close coordination with both Sudanese and Nigerian authorities, including the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan, the Sudanese Ministry of Interior, Nigeria’s National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Nigeria Immigration Services, and several local entities in Kano.
“We are happy to see the positive results of partnerships and cooperation in saving lives”, said Ms. Paola Pace, Chief of Mission a.i. for IOM Nigeria. “IOM remains committed and will continue to work tirelessly to extend support to all migrants and ensure no one is left behind”, she added.
Additionally, the statement also mentioned that the VHR charter was made possible with the support of the European Union through the Migrant Protection, Return and Reintegration Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa
