In 2016, there was a distinct increase in the number of migrants transiting via Niger. Often deceived by information provided by smugglers and traffickers, about (70%) of migrants are misinformed and find themselves in Niger without any kind of assistance or resources, and become exposed to many vulnerabilities.
Therefore, IOM conducted an information campaign affecting more than 150 000 individuals, migrants and host communities, through interactive activities and communication channels. Public debates, cultural, events, video projections, and radio talk shows were used to inform the public about safe migration and alternatives to irregular migration.
Moreover, in April 2016 IOM opened an orientation office in the city of Agadez to allow migrants and host communities to have easy access to objective information on safe migration including individual counseling. Fifty (50) community mobilisers were hired and trained to reach out to migrants living in the slums of Agadez,Arlit, Dirkou and bus stations and 12 went in the town of Niamey to sentisize the population
Between April 2016 and August 2018 , community mobilizers spoke to about 169,417 individuals. These informal and informative meetings took place in the ghettos,bus stations,Popular district,well/crossing point,Market , IOM transit center and others public spaces.
More than 852 people approached the guidance office directly to receive more advice and (47%) of the latter registered for voluntary return with IOM and reintegration program,(67%) of the migrants welcomed in the centre have heard about IOM through the community mobiliser teams carrying out sensitization.
The overall trend is that migrants are interested in regular and irregular migration, the dangers of migration, the ECOWAS region, documents required to travel, services offered by IOM, migration to Libya and Algeria, as well as return and reintegration possibilities.
SENSITIZATION AREAS
| Ghettos | Bus depots | Popular district | Well/Crossing point | Market | IOM Transit center | Other public spaces |
| 20% | 30% | 26% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 4% |