IOM marks Int’l Migrants Day with Ethiopia’s first-ever migrant festival

Addis Ababa, December 18, 2023 (FBC) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) observed International Migrants Day in Ethiopia through a Migrant Festival, which gathered migrant- and diaspora-owned businesses across the country, as well as people supported by IOM with livelihood and training, Government Ministries, and other partners.

The festival, the first of its kind in Ethiopia, was attended by IOM staff, people the organization supports, and partners from the Ethiopian government, the humanitarian sector and the diplomatic community, and celebrated a rich tapestry of experiences, showcasing that people on the move can be economic drivers, job providers and business owners.

The festival also offered insights into the profound experiences of an array of migrants, as well as the tenacity and fortitude of several returnees such as Daniel, a musician who crafts traditional krars, which are stringed bowl-shaped lyres, that are widely used in Ethiopian music.

He told the gathering that after many years playing traditional Ethiopian music at an Ethiopian restaurant in Amsterdam, he returned home from the Netherlands to establish a modest cottage industry in Addis Ababa manufacturing krars, and to teach music.

Other businesses displayed special Ethiopian handmade robes manufactured by expert weavers, packaged freshly roasted Ethiopian coffee, shea-butter skin products, honey and related products, shawarma and snacks by a Syrian running a small café in the city, among others, all which were a hot sell.
During her remarks, State Minister to the Social Affairs, Ms. Huria Ali Mahdi highlighted the importance of celebrating people on the move: “The holding of such events is essential for us to share views, ideas, common values and to reaffirm our commitment for the wellbeing of migrants and to promote the benefits of regular and managed migration.”

She continued by saying that, whether they migrate voluntarily or not, migrants contribute significantly to the countries of origin, transit, and destination. As such, we should be dedicated to upholding their dignity, ensuring that migration is well-managed, and safeguarding the rights of those who choose to return.

“As IOM Director General Amy Pope aptly states, it’s not a question of whether people move; it’s a question of how they move and whether we, as international actors, can build out ways for them to move so they are not exploited. Today, and every day, let us champion our shared humanity and safeguard the rights and dignity of all individuals on the move,” said Abibatou Wane-Fall, Chief of Mission for IOM Ethiopia in her remarks.

On his part, the UN Resident Coordinator, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian government for its generous support of migration-related issues, highlighting the significance of preserving the spirit of giving, sharing, and participation that is ingrained in Ethiopian culture, which makes the country a symbol of multiculturalism and of uniting Africa. He also thanked the migrants for their persistent and unwavering efforts to improve their lot in life.

The United Nations commemorates International Migrants Day on December 18 to highlight the contributions made by the more than 280 million migrants globally, including more than 71 million internally displaced people, and the challenges they face. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the international convention to protect the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families on December 18, 1990.