International Organization for Migration (IOM) has set up an information website for migrants in Egypt
www.bosla-egypt.info is a project funded by the European Union and destined for North African governments rocked by the Arab Spring. It seeks to stabilize risk communities and enhance governmental migration management to ensure smooth transitions in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. Meaning “compass” in Arabic, Bosla has been developed with partner agencies throughout Egypt to serve as a repository for information regarding services available to non-Egyptian migrants in Egypt. The website includes an online directory of local organizations that provide services or organize activities for the benefit of migrant communities.
The website provides relevant and up-to-date information on service availability and offers guidance to migrants. The Bosla initiative bridges the efforts of partner agencies in informing migrants, refugees and asylum seekers of appropriate channels of support.
Beyond Egypt-specific information for migrants, Bosla also provides information on services available within Libya for migrants considering return to their communities of origin.
Speaking on the occasion of launching this initiative, IOM’s Regional Director for the Middle East Pasquale Lupoli underlined the importance of a collaborative approach between countries of origin, transit and final destination in ensuring availability of relevant information to regular and irregular migrants.
The EU-funded stabilizing program for communities at risk is destined to help the governments of Libya, Egypt and Tunisia to better manage migration waves by building up capacities of relevant government bodies to enable them to anticipate and address emerging migration challenges.