The International Organization for Migration (IOM) repatriated 84 Kenyan migrants from Lebanon between January and March 2022, following allegations of labor exploitation and dire living conditions, according to a statement released Monday.
The program, involving coordination between IOM-Lebanon, Kenyan authorities in Beirut, Nairobi, and Kuwait, emerged after approximately 50 migrants staged a sit-in protest outside the Kenyan consulate in early January 2022. They demanded assistance to leave Lebanon due to unlivable circumstances.
IOM's Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) initiative provided migrants with vulnerability assessments, hygiene kits, winter clothing, and food parcels over several months. Most returnees had arrived in Lebanon in 2021 seeking domestic work but reported being deceived about job terms and compensation.
Case managers documented labor exploitation including excessive hours, unpaid wages, forced confinement, and sexual abuse. IOM Lebanon head Mathieu Luciano emphasized that Lebanon remains a destination for migrants despite its economic crisis, which has worsened living conditions for workers.
Another 27 Kenyans are currently receiving case management support with pending repatriation. Kenyan Ambassador to Kuwait Halima Mohamud praised IOM's efforts, noting 84 migrants had returned home with assistance from officials.
Repatriates received pre-departure housing, airport escorts, and $1,500 in in-kind reintegration support to aid livelihood restoration upon return.
