An IOM programme seeking to tackle the pressing socio-economic
reintegration needs of underprivileged and at-risk young people in
the northern Moroccan cities of Tangier and Tétouan has
assisted more than 9,000 vulnerable individuals over the past year.

This USAID-funded pilot programme, which is carried out by IOM
in partnership with the Mohammed VI Foundation for the
Reintegration of Detainees, has provided direct assistance to young
people looking for employment in the private sector, to ex
detainees requiring assistance to start small businesses and to
families seeking to re-enrol children who have dropped out of
school.

As part of the two-year programme, young people who have dropped
out of school have also benefited from vocational training
courses.

Awareness raising activities have also been carried out in
primary and secondary schools in marginalized neighbourhoods to
promote the values of education and vocational training.

Special emphasis was put on health awareness activities,
including on the risks of tobacco and drug addiction. Issues
relating to citizenship education, the risks of delinquency and
irregular migration were also addressed.

Some of the needs of young people in detention centres and
prisons are also being addressed through recreational activities
such as weekly drama and theatre workshops. Literacy programmes are
also offered by the Foundation to young detainees, as well as
vocational training in gardening, hairdressing, computer
maintenance, woodwork, masonry-work, plumbing and electricity
workshops.

"This initiative also seeks to address the needs of detained and
recently released young people through the provision of supportive
services provided by a team of young IOM social workers," says Anke
Strauss, IOM's Chief of Mission in Morocco. "We also work very
closely with NGOs and governmental institutions to help them better
respond to the many needs of vulnerable youth."

Tangier, on the Straits of Gibraltar and Tétouan, which
lies close to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, have over the years
become gateways for irregular migration into Europe.

The Mohammed VI Foundation for the Reintegration of Detainees
was set up in January 2002 to promote the successful reintegration
of former detainees into their communities.

For more information, please contact: 

Núria Fernández-Vidal

IOM Tangier

Tel: +212 66 20 20 960

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