ADNews- Monrovia, February 17, 2023…The National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce of Liberia through the Ministry of Labour has bid a farewell to the outgoing International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mr. Mohammed S. Dialo.

Speaking during the farewell program held in honor of Mr. Dialo on Friday, February 17, 2023, at the Ministry of Labour, the Chairman of the Taskforce, Labour Minister, Charles H. Gibson said the work of Mr. Dialo as head of IOM in Liberia helped to intensify the Government of Liberia policy direction in the fight against human trafficking in the Country. 

According to him, IOM under Mr. Dialo also influenced those works related to human trafficking in the budget of government for human trafficking and construction of additional Safe-homes for victims.

Minister Gibson said though there were several international and local partners involved with the collaboration in the fight against human trafficking, but  the IOM contributions were exceptional, especially in bringing back the Liberian Women from Oman.

“I have over the last two years gotten closer to Mr. Dialo as though we are brothers because of his heart for Liberia. He has drama that what the Taskforce does is successful. We have several collaborations with international organizations but none are compared with the IOM under his leadership.”

Minister Gibson noted that the work of Mr. Dialo have touched the lives of many Liberians by ensuring that victims are given protection, opportunity to resettle and reintegrated them outside of those determination, the society will disintegrate. He said when people are victimized they must be rehabilitated, reintegrated and resettle in society. He said under the leadership of Mr. Dialo, Liberia has been able to achieve those values. 

In response, the International Organization for Migration outgoing County Director, Mr. Mohammed S. Dialo extended his preformed gratitude to the Ministry of Labour through the Trafficking In-Persons Secretariat for facilitating his work in Liberia noting that the collaboration between the IOM and Ministry of Labour including the Taskforce did not start when he got in Liberia.

According to Mr. Dialo, his institution worked with the Ministry of Labour to establish the national referral path-way for victims of trafficking in 2010 and also worked in establishing the Standard Procedure to combat human trafficking. He noted that the IOM has contributed to the training of local NGOs so they can help in combating human trafficking.

Speaking further, Mr. Dialo said IOM has supported the reintegration of the ladies brought back from Oman. He said the IOM is currently collaborating with the Ministry of Labour to put together two safe-homes to ensure that survivors who were brought home are more secured.

He hailed the peace that is currently being enjoyed by Liberians in the country noting that “for the past three years he has been in Liberia and as a son of the region, he loves the peace being enjoyed in Liberia considering what has passed over the years. He further explained that the peace Liberia has gained will be translated to development, social cohesion as Liberia moving, things are changing, while leaders are talking, everyone in our collective effort must make sure to rebuild and we all stay in Africa because Africa is the future.

“My brother and sister, follower colleagues, the world is moving in a different trajectory than is going around the world, the trauma, we have seen wars. We thought that after World War II, there would be no more war but see what is going on. In the human population, we are now 8-ballion on the earth according to the last report and it comes with lot of challenges.”

In a special message to the youth, Mr. Dialo reminded the young people to take lead, remain focused, build their capacity, work hard and support their leaders, noting that moving away is not the solution.  It is harder to move than to still be where you are and develop your capacity. 

He said from 2020 to 2022, the IOM brought 1124 Liberians migrants from other parts of the world excluding those trafficked in Oman. He used the occasion to call on women to maintain their value and that governments in Africa are trying very hard to ensure that the values of our women are maintained.

The farewell program was graced by members of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce of Liberia, representatives of the local and international organizations in the fight against human trafficking, the ladies brought from Oman and officials of the Ministry of Labour.

       Press release