The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), unveiled today a robust initiative aimed at transforming migration governance and addressing humanitarian challenges in Ethiopia.
The Strategic Plan for 2025–2029 outlines a detailed framework designed to not only tackle migration and displacement issues but also to foster inclusive development and resilience nationally over the next five years. This comprehensive strategy reaffirms IOM's commitment to collaborating with the Ethiopian government in addressing pressing humanitarian needs and promoting effective migration frameworks as a catalyst for meaningful development.
During the launch event, a diverse group of high-ranking officials from key ministries, including Foreign Affairs, Justice, Women and Social Affairs, and Labour and Skills, participated alongside representatives from the international community and private sector. The discussions emphasised a significant shift in perspective: the need to integrate migration and displacement issues within broader development, resilience, peacebuilding, and climate adaptation agendas rather than solely approaching them through a humanitarian lens.
Under IOM Ethiopia's Strategic Plan, three interlinked priorities have been identified: saving lives, fostering durable solutions for displaced individuals, and establishing safe migration pathways. The priority is centred on emergency preparedness and life-saving support, wherein IOM plans to enhance capacity in critical areas such as shelter, health care, sanitation, and protection systems. The organisation will ensure that assistance is provided ethically, accountably, and inclusively to communities affected by crisis, thus reinforcing trust and reliability.
The second priority focuses on durable solutions for displaced communities, promoting options that include voluntary return, local integration, and relocation strategies. This pillar is complemented by resilience-building initiatives and investments in climate-adaptive infrastructure located in both host communities and regions significantly affected by displacement. By prioritising comprehensive solutions, IOM seeks to alleviate the chronic challenges faced by these vulnerable populations.
The third focus area involves the creation of safe migration pathways. In partnership with the Ethiopian government, IOM will strive to bolster the nation’s labour migration systems, enhance border governance, and encourage ethical recruitment. The plan also includes initiatives aimed at engaging the diaspora effectively, ensuring that health and social protection systems are responsive to the unique needs of migrants.
“The International Organisation for Migration has consistently proven to be one of our most reliable partners. Together with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and various government entities, we have worked tirelessly to enhance the protection and welfare of migrants, victims of trafficking, and returnees,” stated Her Excellency Huria Ali, State Minister for Social Affairs. “This Strategic Plan transcends mere programmatic documentation; it serves as a forward-thinking framework that builds upon IOM’s solid history in Ethiopia and its nuanced understanding of the nation’s migration circumstances.”
According to Abraham Ayalew, Head of the Ethiopian National Partnership Coalition, “IOM’s contributions are as diverse as they are vital from policy formulation and the establishment of robust legal frameworks to enhancing institutional capacities and fostering coordination mechanisms. Their collaboration with the NPC and pertinent ministries continues to play an instrumental role in fulfilling Ethiopia’s national migration aspirations.”
Abibatou Wane, IOM Ethiopia Chief of Mission, expressed a resolute vision: “Through this collaborative effort, IOM Ethiopia aspires to revolutionise the migration landscape—making it safer and more orderly, alleviating the displacement burden, and harnessing human mobility for inclusive growth and stability within the nation.”
Ethiopia is currently navigating a complex landscape of migration and displacement shaped by conflict, recurrent droughts, and economic pressures in certain regions. The country serves multiple roles: as a point of origin, a transit country, and a destination for many migrants heading to the Middle East, South Africa, and to a lesser extent, Europe. IOM’s extensive history in Ethiopia has equipped it with the deep institutional knowledge necessary to implement a strategic and coordinated response to these pressing issues.
Acknowledging that no single organisation can address these challenges independently, the Strategic Plan advocates for a holistic, whole-of-society approach. It emphasises the importance of establishing partnerships among government agencies, United Nations entities, civil society organisations, affected communities, and the private sector to achieve the strategic objectives.
This comprehensive Strategic Plan is firmly rooted in both existing national and international frameworks. It aligns seamlessly with Ethiopia’s Ten-Year Development Plan (TYDP), the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and Ethiopia’s National Strategy for Durable Solutions to Internal Displacement. By positioning these initiatives within a larger context, IOM aims to not only respond to immediate needs but also build a resilient infrastructure that empowers and uplifts communities throughout Ethiopia, according to IOM Communication Team’s dispatch to EBC English.
