Egypt - As part of its on-going European Union-funded programme ‘Stabilizing at-risk communities and enhancing migration management to enable smooth transitions in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya – START’, IOM Cairo this week launched its ‘BOSLA’ migrant information website (www.bosla-egypt.info).

Meaning “compass” in Arabic, Bosla has been developed with partner agencies throughout Egypt to serve as a repository for information regarding services available to non-Egyptian migrants in Egypt. The website includes an online directory of local organizations that provide services or organize activities for the benefit of migrant communities.

Consolidating relevant and up-to-date information on service availability and providing critical guidance to migrants in accessing these, the Bosla initiative bridges the efforts of partner agencies in informing migrants, refugees and asylum seekers of appropriate channels of support.

Beyond Egypt-specific information for migrants, Bosla also provides information on services available within Libya for migrants considering return to their communities of origin.

The Bosla website roll out in Egypt is linked to a complementary directory currently under development by IOM Tunisia, which will form part of the START programme’s regional migration information platform.

Hosting the launch ceremony, IOM’s Regional Director for the Middle East Pasquale Lupoli underlined the importance of a collaborative approach between countries of origin, transit and final destination in ensuring availability of relevant information to regular and irregular migrants.

The three-year START programme seeks to stabilize at-risk-communities throughout Libya, Egypt and Tunisia by strengthening migration management, helping irregular migrants and building capacities of relevant government bodies to enable them to anticipate and address emerging migration challenges.

For more information, please contact

Amr Taha
IOM Cairo
Email: ataha@iom.int  or STARTEgypt@iom.int