Dar es Salaam – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) joined the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to commemorate International Migrants Day on 18th December 2018 at Mnazi Mmoja Ground in Dar es Salaam.

This year’s theme was “Migration with Dignity”.

The three-day event, held from 16 to 18 December, was organized by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, through its Department of Immigration Services, with the assistance of IOM.

The commemoration day on 18 December was graced by the presence of the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Honorable Engineer Mr. Hamad Masauni, the guest of honor.

In his remarks, Mr. Masauni underlined the Government’s efforts in improving immigration services by introducing e-immigration, e-visa and e-permit systems using the latest information and communications technology. He additionally stressed the need for migrants to follow formal procedures when travelling to Tanzania, and lastly appealed to parents and guardians to take care of their children, especially the youth and girls, to protect them from being victims of human trafficking and smuggling.

“This is the first time that the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania took ownership and leadership of International Migrants Day in the country with the participation of high Government officials including the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Commissioner General of Immigration, the Secretary General of the Anti-Human Trafficking Secretariat in the country,” said Dr Qasim Sufi, the IOM Chief of Mission in Tanzania. “This is a clear indicator that the Government of Tanzania values the IOM work as the UN Migration Agency in the country,” he added.

The following activities were organized for International Migrants Day 2018: (1) a walk from Immigration Headquarters to Mnazi Mmoja Grounds; (2) an exhibition booth for IOM, Tanzania Immigration Services Department and Tanzania Regional Immigration Training Academy (TRITA) from Moshi together with the African Capacity Building Centre (ACBC) on activities and services provided by the different institutions; (3) entertainment, i.e., live music band; (4) remarks by Ms. Mira Simovska, Head of Operation in IOM Tanzania representing the Chief of Mission; (5) remarks by the Commissioner General of Immigration (CGI) services; and (6) remarks by the Guest of Honor, Honorable Engineer Hamadi Masauni.

The event was attended by various audiences and stakeholders from the immigration department, defense and other security agencies in the country, the Secretary General of the Anti-Trafficking Secretariat, the public and media.

For more information please contact Mira Simovska, Head of Operations, IOM Tanzania; Tel.: +255 682 887 018; Email: msimovska@iom.int; or David Hofmeijer, Head of Programmes, IOM Tanzania; Tel: +255 699 674 975; Email: dhofmeijer@iom.int