Britain's Department for International Development(DFID) signed an agreement with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),supporting the East African Community (EAC) in its efforts to harmonize migration management in the region.
A statement from IOM said the agreement will contribute towards overall efforts to ensure
free and safe movement of people between EAC partner states while tackling issues such as
irregular migration, smuggling, human trafficking and labour migration.
"The project will be implemented as a component of TradeMark East Africa, a multi-
donor initiative managed by DFID to promote regional economic integration," the statement
said.
It works with the EAC Secretariat, partner state governments, civil society organizations
and businesses to promote greater regional integration and trade competitiveness in East
Africa.
The British High Commission will also be involved in overseeing the implementation of
this project.
"Large refugee movements and internally displaced people, labor migration, irregular
migration (including trafficking and human smuggling) and traditional temporary migration
characterize East Africa's migration flows," the IOM said.
Studies have shown that countries in the region are also source and transit countries for
both refugee and irregular migrant flows along the Mediterranean Route (from the region to
Sudan, Egypt, Libya and onwards to Europe), and the southern route towards South Africa.
With the EAC and its partner states aiming to establish a common market for the free
movement of people by 2010, IOM said several issues and hurdles need to be addressed
such as national security, migrants' and workers rights, refugee protection and human trafficking.
"Funding of 821,000 U.S. dollars from DFID will allow IOM to support the EAC Secretariat and partner States -- Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi -- to strengthen their capacity to address these migration issues," the statement
said.
This, the UN agency said, will be through technical support to a new Migration Desk to be
established at the EAC Secretariat, increasing migration expertise at EAC policy making level.
It will also help ensure that migration is incorporated into the common market protocol
and provide information to the Secretariat and partner states on emerging migration challenges
and possible interventions.
In addition, a Regional Advisory Committee will be set up to enhance dialogue on migration with other regions and countries and a Migration Resource Center established in Arusha at the EAC Secretariat.
This will include a physical and online library for the collection and sharing of information on migration trends and practices.