The International Organization for Migration (IOM) advises the Somaliland public to ignore online reports about IOM’s involvement in a recent photo exhibition in Torino, Italy that displayed photos depicting alleged camps in Somaliland dedicated to irregular migration.
Mr. Gerard Waite, IOM Chief of Mission, said: “Please be informed Mrs. Suad-Omar Sheikh Esahaq, the lady who co-curated the photo exhibition, acted in her own capacity as a freelance photographer in putting together the exhibition. In doing so, she acted entirely without the consent of IOM, and any views that she expressed through that exhibition or related publicity materials are not in any way reflective of IOM’s stand on any issue. IOM’s role is to support the government authority and people of Somaliland to address a wide range of important migration related issues, and IOM has not, and does not, engage itself in any activity designed to damage the reputation of the Somaliland people or the Somaliland government authority.”
Mr. Ali Saeed Reigal, Somaliland’s Minister of Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (MRRR), emphasized: “Since 2006, IOM has worked closely with the Somaliland government authority to decrease the pressure created by migration flows through raising awareness among potential migrants; to improve livelihood opportunities in areas of origin and transit; to enhance the Somaliland government authority’s border management capacities; to strengthen institutional capacity building through diaspora skills transfer; and to provide direct emergency assistance for vulnerable migrants. IOM has shown through their actions that they wish the Somaliland people well, and we are confident that we will continue to have a great relationship with IOM.”
For further information, please contact:
IOM SOMALIA SPOKESPERSON ON FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT THE PHOTO EXHIBITION IN SOMALILAND: Mr. Liban Mohamoud Essa, National Program Officer, IOM Hargeisa Office, Tel: +2522 57 1211 (Ext 114), Cell: +252 63 4457 455, Email: lmessa@iom.int, Skype: liban.mohamoud.essa
MINISTRY OF RESETTLEMENT, REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION (MRRR) SPOKESPERSON ON FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT THE PHOTO EXHIBITION IN ITALY: Mr. Adam Abdullaahi, Vice Minister at the Ministry of Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (MRRR), Email: adandeq2@gmail.com