2024-05-10 14:49:57
The European dream has turned into a bureaucratic nightmare for dozens of Cameroonian migrants. Attracted by the promise of €2,000 from the IOM to abandon their journey and return home, they are disillusioned today. The much-hoped-for money has vanished, and the organization is absent. Investigation.
2000€ to return, the golden promise of the IOM that makes you pschitt
They had left everything to try their luck in Europe. But faced with the obstacles and dangers of the road, they ended up giving up. Encouraged by the International Organization of Migrants (IOM), which promises the tidy sum of €2,000 to each candidate for “ vote » agreeing to return to his country of origin.
This is the case for dozens of Cameroonian migrants, stranded in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and even Libya. They jumped at the opportunity, seeing it as a way to return to the country with their heads held high, and with a little nest egg to start their lives again. Alas, the euphoria quickly gave way to disillusionment. Back in Cameroon, not a shadow of a euro on the horizon. The IOM seems to have forgotten its promises, and migrants find themselves with their mouths in water.
“Wait for the dollar to exceed the euro »: the crazy excuse of the IOM
Faced with increasingly pressing complaints from cheated migrants, the IOM finally came out of the woods. But instead of the 2000€ hoped for, the returnees were treated to an absurd explanation, relayed by the site 237online.com: “We are waiting for the dollar to exceed the euro to give you the money”. A response that borders on insulting and sheds harsh light on the amateurism, even dishonesty, which seems to reign within the organization.
Because by promising wonders to vulnerable and desperate migrants, the IOM has created immense expectations. Expectations that it is struggling to honor today, taking refuge behind economic quibbles that are incomprehensible to ordinary mortals. A lack of seriousness and consideration which says a lot about the real priorities of the organization.
IOM in the sights, Cameroonian authorities called for vigilance
This affair is the straw that broke the camel’s back. Already criticized for its opacity and questionable methods, the IOM today finds itself at the heart of a real scandal. A scandal which risks lasting damage to its reputation and credibility among migrants and their families.
But beyond the organization itself, the entire system of voluntary return assistance is being questioned. A system which seems to benefit intermediaries more than the main stakeholders, and which deserves a serious clean-up. The Cameroonian authorities are called upon more than ever to be vigilant, to prevent the hopes of migrants from being violated once again.
Because behind the figures and the promises, there are men, women, families. Broken destinies, vanished dreams. By luring them with financial sirens, the IOM took an immense risk. That of creating a new generation of those left behind, doubly victims of a system that crushes them. It is time for those responsible to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. And that the long-awaited €2,000 finally arrives in the pockets of those who need it most. Before anger prevails over reason.