Press Release

IOM Azerbaijan provided urgently needed assistance and support to 339 stranded and vulnerable migrants due to COVID-19

27 January 2021

  • During the period September to December 2020, the United Nations Migration Agency - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Azerbaijan has provided  339 stranded and vulnerable migrants with urgently needed assistance and supported vulnerable migrants/ foreign nationals to address their basic needs for food and hygiene, housing/accommodation, and medical needs in the scope of the project  “Contribution for Humanitarian Activities included in IOM Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan Coronavirus Disease 2019 (IOM COVID GSRP) - COVID 19 – South Caucasus” project.

During the previous year, 208 migrants received direct humanitarian assistance (food/hygienic items),194 migrants received assistance with accommodation, 68 migrants were assisted with mandatory COVID-19 PCR tests, and eight migrants received assistance with documents. 

Nirmala Priyadarshini, one of the stranded migrants from Shri Lanka, says that thanks to the well-coordinated work of IOM Azerbaijan staff, which helped them get their COVID-19 tests and sort out the immigration matters, all stranded migrants safely returned home. 

 

Anthony Okwuoma from Niger, who urgently needed assistance, also sent his heartfelt gratitude to the IOM Azerbaijan team. “Thank you very much for your valuable and great assistance,” he said. 

IOM Azerbaijan also provided 400 foreign migrants with PPE kits and COVID-19 related information. The kits with information leaflets on COVID-19, hand sanitizer, thermometers, gloves, masks, and antibacterial wipes were delivered to vulnerable migrants (foreign nationals) temporarily residing in Baku by members of the “Migration Volunteer” Public Union under the State Migration Service.

Ilgar Xudiyev

Ilgar Khudiyev

IOM
Communications Associate

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IOM
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