N’Djamena – The Federal Republic of Germany and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) handed over two Mobile Border Units to the Chadian Ministry of Public Security and Immigration to support the Central African country’s border management efforts. 

The handover ceremony held on 17 August was presided by H.E.M. Idriss Dokony Adiker, Minister of Public Security and Immigration, Anne Kathrin Schaefer, IOM Chad's Chief of Mission, and H.E. Gordon Kricke, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Chad. 

The Mobile Border Units include two large trucks equipped with computers, fingerprinting and forensic document examination stations, a generator, and solar panels. Each truck is fully equipped with the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), IOM’s flagship tool enabling States to collect data on migration flows and provide a sound statistical basis for migration policy-development.  

Opening the ceremony, the Minister thanked IOM for the fruitful cooperation, noting the importance of the border management units to boost the Government’s efforts. 

“Chad has become a key roundabout for Libya and Europe-bound migration, and we are seeing record flows of migrants and travellers from neighbouring countries as well as other parts of the continent, highlighting the need for stronger action to manage borders,” he said. 

The two new trucks will be deployed at key border areas in Ounianga-Kébir and Zouar in Chad’s northern provinces bordering Libya and Niger where record migration flows have been observed in recent years.  

Between August 2019 and September 2020, IOM recorded more than 21,000 migrants crossing the Faya, Zouarké and Ounianga Kébir Flow Monitoring Points.  

Since 2018, IOM has provided multidimensional support to the Government of Chad to strengthen the management of its borders, as well as migration governance broadly. Over 300 borders management agents have been trained by IOM in humanitarian border management, document identification, the referral of victims of human trafficking and smuggling, human rights and migrant protection.  

Furthermore, IOM has constructed and equipped three border posts in the North, South and East of the country to improve immigration services in these areas and supported the establishment of a central server point in N’djamena to facilitate traveller data analysis.  

“We are pleased to hand over these innovative mobile border units, which will enable Chadian authorities to effectively manage their borders, facilitate regular cross-border movements, and to detect irregular flows at main crossing points,” said Anne Kathrin Schaefer. 

The donation of the mobile border units is part of the “Balke – Security and Stability in Northern Chad”, funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and implemented by IOM. The project supports integrated community stabilization for rural communities in Northern Chad including socioeconomic infrastructure rehabilitation, professional training for youth, provision of ID cards, integrated border management and social cohesion. 

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For more information, please contact Francois-Xavier Ada, Communications Officer. Email: fadaaffana@iom.int.