Tunisia Accelerates Voluntary Return Flights, Emphasizes Social Support and Coordination

Tunisia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Ali Nafti, met with the Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Tunisia, Azzouz Samri, to discuss the importance of accelerating the pace of voluntary return flights.

Accelerating Voluntary Return Flights

The Minister stressed the need to provide social support, logistical, and medical assistance to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of these returns. He also called for strengthened coordination, intensified joint efforts, and the development of necessary mechanisms to encourage voluntary return.

Improved Opportunities for Reintegration

This meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress of the voluntary return and reintegration program for irregular migrants. The Chief of Mission of the IOM in Tunisia reported that the number of beneficiaries of this program has reached 22,377 irregular migrants since its launch in 2022, with 2,103 migrants benefiting from the program in 2026 (up to date). The organization is currently preparing the return of approximately 400 additional irregular migrants in the near future.

Tunisia's Approach to Irregular Immigration

The Chief of Mission of the IOM in Tunisia praised Tunisia's comprehensive approach to managing irregular immigration, which prioritizes the respect and protection of migrant rights, as well as the fight against human trafficking and organized crime networks.

Cooperation between Tunisia and the IOM

The meeting also discussed existing cooperation programs between Tunisia and the IOM, including projects related to integration and development. The "Helma" (Dream) project aims to strengthen socio-economic opportunities for young people exposed to irregular migration and vulnerable individuals through skill development and tailored training. The "Mobi-TRE" project was also mentioned, which aims to mobilize investments and skills from the Tunisian diaspora abroad to support economic development in interior regions and create sustainable jobs for young people.

Note: The numbers mentioned in the article (22,377, 2,103, and 400) are subject to change and may not reflect the current numbers.