UN Migration Agency Rescues 1,000 Migrants In Northern Niger

The UN migration agency (IOM) announced on Tuesday that since April, it had rescued 1,000 people in distress trying to make their way across the border between Niger and Libya.

Late last month, IOM conducted an assessment mission of migratory routes in the desert in the border area, in order to improve migrant rescue procedures.

The agency worked with Niger's Department of Civil Protection to identify the challenges and migrant flows, while also rescuing around 150 migrants in distress.

Since January, more than 60,000 have crossed into Niger, with only half of them being accounted for, leaving the country.

"Many of the rescued are now recovering at IOM's transit centre for migrants in Agadez as they wait for assistance to voluntarily return to their countries of origin, which include Senegal, the Gambia, Nigeria and Ghana, and other countries." UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.

SOURCE: UN Radio/ GBC