The Sierra Leone Embassy in Tehran has successfully repatriated three Sierra Leonean women who were left stranded at the Iran-Iraq border after an unsuccessful attempt to migrate to Europe.
The effort was coordinated in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The women, who left Sierra Leone in 2021 and 2022 respectively, had initially traveled to the Kurdistan region of Iraq in search of better opportunities. There, they spent nearly two to three years working as domestic helpers with hopes of saving enough money to continue their journey to Europe through Turkey.
Their journey took a devastating turn when they arrived at the Iran-Iraq border expecting to meet an agent named Hassan in Tehran, who had allegedly promised to facilitate their transit for a fee of $2,000 each. However, Hassan never showed up, and after failing to reach him by phone, the women were attacked by thieves who stole all their belongings.
Iranian authorities later took custody of the stranded women and handed them over to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Tehran. Working closely with IOM, the embassy quickly moved to secure the necessary documentation and logistical support for their safe return to Sierra Leone.
His Excellency Ambassador Salamu Koroma personally received the women and oversaw preparations for their repatriation.
In his farewell message, Ambassador Koroma expressed concern over the increasing risks young Sierra Leoneans take in search of better opportunities abroad. He encouraged the women to use the skills they had acquired during their time in Iraq to rebuild their lives in Sierra Leone.
“While we acknowledge that Sierra Leone faces its own set of challenges, your chances of surviving and succeeding are far greater back home than in the uncertainty and dangers of irregular migration,” Ambassador Koroma emphasized.
The women shared that they had taken part in vocational training programs while in Iraq and now plan to use those skills to reintegrate and support themselves in Freetown.
This is not the first time the Sierra Leone Embassy in Iran has stepped in to assist citizens in distress. The embassy continues to play a vital role in safeguarding Sierra Leoneans across the region, with a commitment to upholding their dignity and welfare.
The three women are now back in Freetown and are expected to reunite with their families in the coming days.
Credit: Elizabeth Mamie Campbell*
Information Attaché,
Sierra Leone Embassy, Tehran/Iran
Email: elizbethallie@gmail.com
