23.1.2024
Kaisa Strömberg
It is important to recognise the significant contribution of migrants to societies and at the same time highlight the challenges they face.
Migration is driven by a wide range of regional and global factors
Human mobility is not a new phenomenon. Since the dawn of humanity, communities have moved from one region to another in search of food, in response to climate change, or conflict. Although much is said about migration today, it is worth remembering that the majority of the world’s population still lives in its country of birth. According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), 3.6% of the world’s population were migrants in 2020.
People can move within or outside a country for reasons such as studies, work, or family. On the other hand, people are also moved by forced and traumatic events. In the last few years, major forcing events affecting human mobility have included conflicts, severe economic and political instability, and climate and weather-related disasters (IOM 2021).
It is important to recognise that a variety of economic, geographical and demographic factors influence the generation of migratory flows. As a result, migratory flows are not evenly distributed across the world but so-called migration corridors are formed in certain regions (IOM 2021). One important corridor has emerged from West Africa to Europe, either via the Canary Islands or through the Sahel via Libya.
The Gambia is one of the countries of origin of migration
The Gambia is one of the West African countries where irregular migration has become a major challenge for society. Economic hardship, poor educational opportunities and lack of prospects drive many young people on a perilous journey through the Sahel to Libya and on to Europe. Migrants using so-called illegal channels are particularly vulnerable, for example without access to health care or other essential services. Many of those who make the journey suffer abuse, violence, and even death. A large proportion of those who do go also end up returning to their country of origin.
As part of YMCA Finland’s development cooperation programme, our partner YMCA The Gambia prevents irregular migration and supports returnee migrants in their reintegration into society, for example through vocational training and advocacy. Providing young people with opportunities for education, livelihoods, and social inclusion is important in preventing irregular migration. Through advocacy, young people can be made aware of the real dangers of irregular migration and thus dispel misconceptions about Europe’s greener pastures.
The story of Jerreh Cham from the Gambia shows both resilience and the importance of supporting young people
Jerreh Cham, a 28-year-old returning migrant from The Gambia, is a good example of how young people can change their lives when they have access to education, information, and support. In 2016, Cham embarked on a perilous journey through Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to reach Libya, from where he attempted to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. According to Jerreh, the journey was life-changing and filled with both traumatic and incredible experiences.
–Would my family still be able to pay my school fees? It was a burden that bothered me a lot, Cham recalls his feelings at the time.
The decision to leave was motivated by a sense of obligation to the family who had paid school fees on the one hand, and concern about the possibility of continuing his studies on the other. The family could no longer afford to pay the costs of his studies and Cham feared that he would lose his chance to get an education. Cham spent a year struggling to overcome his difficulties, spurred on by the increasingly distant dream of a better life in Europe. After experiencing abuse, exploitation, two failed Mediterranean crossings, and months in Libyan prisons, Cham was offered the chance to return with the support of the IOM.
The motivation to become independent and autonomous drove Cham on his journey towards Europe, and the same motivation also drove him to transform his life through education and to act as a role model for other Gambian youth. On his return, Cham shared his own experiences of migration and invested in his education.
Today, Jerreh Cham studies business administration at university and pays his own tuition fees. He runs his own business, works as a trainer for YMCA The Gambia and acts as a speaker to share his knowledge to help other young people.
Migrants must be protected and the underlying causes of migration addressed
Restrictions on human mobility and the lack of safe legal channels have led to more and more people choosing dangerous and irregular routes. People in fragile countries have significantly fewer opportunities for legal migration compared to people in wealthy countries. The lack of legal channels exposes migrants to exploitation, smuggling, and trafficking.
Migrants are particularly vulnerable and therefore need to be protected from violence, exploitation, and trafficking. Ensuring safe migration also contributes to peace.
Everyone has the right to a safe living environment, health, education, and employment, including migrants. No one leaves their home and embarks on a life-threatening journey unless the surrounding circumstances force them to do so.
Contact us
Kaisa Strömberg
Programme Officer, YMCA Finland
kaisa.stromberg@ymca.fi
+358 41 544 8292
Our Youth, Peace and Livelihoods Development Cooperation Programme aims to improve local living conditions and promote livelihood opportunities and peace-building skills for young people. The programme will be implemented with YMCA partners in Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Lebanon, and Palestine from 2022 to 2025, with funding from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.