By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 19th January 2026- In a modest gathering filled with relief, gratitude and renewed hope, hundreds of returnee migrants in Sierra Leone took an important step toward rebuilding their lives receiving official identity documents that many thought they might never hold again.
This milestone follows a landmark partnership signed in September 2025 between the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) under the initiative “Unlocking Identity: Enhancing Access to Civil Registration for Returnees in Sierra Leone.” The agreement was designed to ensure that returnees can access legal identity a crucial foundation for reintegration, dignity, and access to public services.
On January 16, 2026, that commitment was put into action as IOM, in collaboration with the National Youth Commission and NCRA, distributed 295 national identity cards free of charge to returnee migrants, alongside 85 birth certificates issued to children born to returnees.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Youth Commissioner Emerson Kamara expressed appreciation to IOM for what he described as a “job well done” in restoring dignity to some of the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
“Migration is as old as humanity,” Kamara said. “It is not a bad thing but it must be done the right way.”
He noted that providing national ID cards to returnees is more than an administrative process; it is about restoring hope, identity, and a sense of belonging. He further highlighted the strong partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone and IOM, explaining that while IOM facilitates the return of migrants, the government plays a key role in supporting their reintegration.
Kamara encouraged returnees not to dwell on past hardships but to focus on rebuilding their futures with renewed determination.
Also addressing the gathering, Dr. Pauline Macharia, Officer-in-Charge of IOM Sierra Leone, reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to supporting migrants throughout the return and reintegration process.
She emphasized that migration itself is not negative, noting that many people benefit from moving for work, business, education, or a better life. However, she stressed that these benefits can only be fully realized when migration is undertaken safely and with proper documentation.
Dr. Macharia highlighted the critical role of partners such as NCRA in ensuring that returnees receive legal documentation, which not only enables access to services but also serves as proof of national identity.
“This opportunity is not just about returning home,” she told the returnees. “It is about reconnecting with your families, reclaiming your identity, and having documents that affirm that you are Sierra Leoneans.”
The returnees benefitting from the exercise had been repatriated from Algeria, Mali, Tunisia, Niger, and Morocco, countries along some of the most dangerous migration routes.
Director General of the National Civil Registration Authority, Dr. Mohamed Massaquoi, also urged the returnees to make good use of the opportunity given to them. He encouraged them to work hard, integrate positively into society, and resist the temptation to return to the difficult and dangerous journeys they once endured.
“The suffering you went through should not be repeated,” he said. “These documents are a fresh start.”
The event reached its emotional peak as returnees physically received their national ID cards and birth certificates for their children, with smiles, quiet tears, and words of thanks echoing through the venue. For many, it was the first time in years they felt officially seen and recognized.
One of the beneficiaries, Francis Kamara, a returnee from Niger, expressed heartfelt gratitude.
“I thank IOM and the government for this opportunity,” he said. “With this ID card, I can now move forward and make something better of my life.”
For the returnees, the documents symbolized more than paper and plastic they represented belonging, dignity, and a second chance.
