Addis Ababa – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Ethiopia organized (20/12) an international charter flight carrying over 320 refugees to Canada for resettlement.

The resettled refugees were of different age groups and had fled conflict from various countries in East and Horn of Africa.

Adhanom Tewelde, his wife and their six children are among those receiving the resettlement support. Adhanom, and his family have lived as refugees in Sudan for the past nine years where he worked as a school director. Before he fled the conflict in his home country, he worked as an officer with the Ministry of Education.

“My children will have the opportunity to excel in their education and lead a better life.”

Despite all the challenges he has faced over the years, Adhanom remains hopeful for the future. “I am ready to learn and start a new life with my family.”

IOM organizes initial selection missions, security interviews as required, cultural orientation, health assessments, movement for final departure and other assistance requested by the Canadian government. IOM teams also conduct pre-departure orientation to ease integration for the refugees.

This resettlement was done with close coordination between the Ethiopian Government, UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the Canadian Government.

“Third country resettlement provides refugees with an opportunity to start their lives in a different setting. IOM facilitates movement and protection support for refugees. We are committed to make the process as smooth and as expedient as possible,” said Emma Khakula, Senior Movement Operations Manager with IOM Ethiopia.

For the past 15 years, IOM Ethiopia has been involved in facilitating resettlement of refugees to more than 16 countries, including the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Norway and the European Union through resettlement, family reunification and humanitarian admission programmes. 

IOM has assisted 5,300 refugees to resettle to new countries in 2023. 

IOM’s resettlement programme was made possible through funding from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.  

For more information contact: Adam Sahilu asahilu@iom.int