The reunification of Mtambo Family

Through their family reunification programme, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recently assisted three children to reunite with their mother. When their mother left South Africa to return to her country of origin, Nigeria, the two brothers and their sister, stayed behind with their father, who later passed away. The children were left without parents. The City of Johannesburg then refereed their plight to IOM.

Following the intervention of the Department of Social Development, the children were placed in different shelters, with the youngest and only sister being placed under the care of the court.

The oldest brother, because of his age (17 years), was not legible stay at the shelter, rendering him homeless. The case worker decided to temporarily accommodate him until the case was finalized.

After the court completed all the processes to release the youngest child to travel with her brothers to the country of origin, IOM South Africa stepped in to arrange the reintegration grant, funded by the Regional Office in Dakar.

The grant included school fees, start-up capital for business and household needs. IOM South Africa also arranged flight tickets, travel documents, transit, and arrival assistance as well as medical and PCR testing prior to departure.

In August 2021, the children landed at the airport in Lagos, Nigeria, where they were welcomed by their mother after years of separation.