IOM’s Immigration and Border Management (IBM) Division supports Member States in improving the policy, legislation, operational systems, human resources and administrative and technical structures required to respond more effectively to diverse migration and border management challenges. Immigration and Border Management (IBM) activities are in line with IOM’s commitment to facilitate orderly, safe and regular migration and mobility.

Strengthening Operational Capacities for Gambian Authorities to Manage Borders, Respond to Health Crisis and Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19

The project aims to strengthen the operational capacities of the Government of The Gambia (GoTG) through:

  • Addressing the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on cross-border traders
  • Strengthening maritime and border management capacities
  • Strengthening health emergency preparedness and response to COVID-19 at Ports of Entry

Donor: The Government of Japan

Addressing the drivers and causes of migration-related vulnerabilities among border communities along the Trans-Gambia transport corridor

A joint project with the International Trade Centre (ITC), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UN Development Programme (UNDP), the project’s objective is to increase safety and prosperity of youth and women in the border communities along the Trans-Gambia transport corridor.

The project will mitigate migration challenges and improve the cross-border environment along the Senegambia bridge by enhancing border management practices to address situations of vulnerability; strengthening capacity of border authorities; increasing awareness among women and youth of their rights; and strengthening skills and opportunities for women and youth.

Specifically, the project aims to:

  • Strengthen skills and opportunities for women and youth
  • Enhance border management practices to address situations of vulnerability
  • Strengthen capacity of border authorities
  • Increase awareness among women and youth of their rights

Donor: United Nations Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (M-MPTF)

Supporting Cross-Border Cooperation for Increased Community Resilience and Social Cohesion in The Gambia and Senegal

A joint project with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the project’s objective is to address the causes of instability and conflict in border instability and conflict in border communities of The Gambia and Senegal, which include weak border management practices fueling mistrust between border authorities and communities; rising transnational organized crimes, such as smuggling of migrants, arms, timber and drugs, as well as trafficking in persons; and illegal exploitation of natural resources leading to environmental degradation.

These challenges will be addressed through an integrated approach by:

  • Increasing community resilience through support for alternative livelihoods options for improved social cohesion
  • Strengthening cross-border cooperation between border authorities and communities for peaceful coexistence
  • Promoting community management practices of natural resources

Donor: United Nations Peacebuilding Fund