MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Liberian Government, in collaboration with the International Organization on Migration (IOM), has repatriated seven stranded Liberians from Myanmar, Asia.
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia, located between China and India. It also borders Laos and Thailand.
They arrived via the Robert International Airport on Saturday, May 17, 2025, following six months of being trafficked by scammers. The seven individuals, comprising four males and three females, were en route to Bangkok, Thailand, but later found themselves in the hands of traffickers.
The Liberian migrants came from different locations, including Dubai, Senegal, and Liberia, but met in Myanmar under the same dubious arrangement by traffickers, thus spending four to seven months working under duress without pay.
Their arrival saw the presence of family members and friends who had gone to the Airport to give them a rousing welcome, following months of non-communication.
The stranded Liberians were welcomed home officially by Assistant Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs, Rosetta Jackollie, and the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) Deputy Executive Director for Operations, Joseph Boye -Cooper, on behalf of the Liberian government.
Assistant Foreign Minister Jackollie said:” The repatriation of the stranded Liberians demonstrates President Joseph Boakai’s commitment to providing safety and protection of Liberians in and out of Liberia.”
“There is nowhere like home. People will believe that the pasture is greener outside, but that’s not always the case. Right now, migration is a serious problem. Most of the countries that were accepting migrants before have another view today. It is always good to stay home and try your best,” Assistant Minister Jackollie said.
The Assistant Foreign Minister recounted that the government’s concern for its citizens was truly expressed in their safe return through the tireless efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission, and the International Organization for Migration.
She further said, “We will pray that Liberia will be better so that no young person or anybody will have the reason to leave from here to go out there – that we can all put our efforts together to make Liberia a better place.”
LRRRC Deputy Executive Director for Operations, Joseph Boye-Cooper, expressed thanks and appreciation to the International Organization for Migration and assured the returnees of the government’s unflinching support.
“We want to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Liberian foreign mission in China that went all the way to Myanmar to get you people over through the facilitation of IOM,” Cooper added.
The LRRRC took delivery and transported the returnees Saturday evening to their various homes in Monrovia and its environs to be reunited with their family members once again.
Joseph Boye-Cooper told the returnees to assemble at the LRRRC office in Congo Town on Monday, May 19, 2025, to get details regarding their re-integration.
The stranded Liberians expressed gratitude to the Liberian government and the International Organization for Migration for their safe arrival back home.
By: Sampson David
