The IOM Regional Office in Dakar is today launching a nationwide
information campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of irregular
migration.

In 2007, more than 30,000 irregular migrants from West Africa
reached the shores of the Spanish Canary Islands in small wooden
boats, but an unknown number of Africans, the majority young men,
lost their lives en route.

The campaign's message was designed to reach young people, the
group most at risk.  Women and children are also being
targeted as this will help promote awareness amongst even the
youngest potential migrants who may decide to leave the country by
any means possible. 

IOM is working with local NGOs and community associations to
reach out to civil society organizations and to the public at large
with activities that include conferences by religious and community
role models, discussion groups, art competitions and exhibits,
concerts, radio programmes, and plays.

The campaign is being launched today at the IOM office in Dakar
in coordination with the Spanish Cooperation Agency in Senegal, and
the Senegalese Ministry of Youth and Employment.  Funding for
the campaign is provided by the Government of Spain.

For further information, please contact:

Jo-Lind Roberts

IOM Dakar

Tel: +221 33 869 62 00

E-mail: "mailto:jlroberts@iom.int">jlroberts@iom.int