Egypt - The smuggling and trafficking of people from the Middle East, Sub-Saharan and North Africa across the Mediterranean has reached epic proportions. Over 500,000 have reached Europe in 2015 and an estimated 2,800 have perished at sea.

Irregular migrants travelling along the northeast African migratory route are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and human trafficking, as well as the risk of drowning at sea.

Egypt – part of the migratory route – is a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to forced labour and sexual exploitation, according to the US State Department, and needs to do more to protect its own citizens, migrants and refugees from human trafficking.

The Government of Egypt has stepped up its efforts to protect both its citizens and migrants and refugees and USAID has stepped in and awarded IOM a 27-month grant to implement a comprehensive programme aimed at supporting the Egyptian government’s efforts to prevent and prosecute traffickers and smugglers and protect victims while enhancing employability and livelihood opportunities for Egyptian youth. Over 50% of Egyptian irregular migrants arriving in Europe are minors.

The programme will focus on protecting the basic rights of migrants to save lives and reduce human suffering, address drivers of irregular migration and develop partnerships for growth and competitiveness. It will enhance the government’s capacity to identify victims of trafficking and to prosecute offenders, and it will inform Egyptian young people about the risks of irregular migration and safe alternatives.

The programme will also address one of the root causes of irregular migration – the lack of jobs – and will establish vocational training centres for the tourism and hospitality sector in rural governorates particularly affected by the recent decline of the tourism industry. This will create job opportunities for at-risk Egyptian young peole, while contributing to the government’s efforts to revitalize the tourism sector.

For further information, please contact Amr Taha at IOM Egypt, Tel: +2.02.273.65.140, Email: iomcairo@iom.int