A NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisation has been re-launched to assist persons who have been deported from foreign jurisdictions under an ambitious five-year plan.

At the same time, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Georgetown sees the change in US administration, headed by Donald Trump as a spot of bother, as it anticipates an increased number of deportees in the years ahead.

On Monday morning, the Juncata Juvant Friendly Society was re-launched at the National Library, Georgetown, with a re-shaped focus, which entails partnering with the private sector and Government in assisting persons who have been deported back to these shores.

The organization, which uses the preferred term of ‘involuntary remigrant’ as opposed to “deportees”, has in the past worked to remove the stigma attached to these persons via educating the society on the real issues facing them. However, as a result of several setbacks, including a lack of resources, the body slid into a dormant state.

Speaking to a packed room of mainly male audience on Monday, Vice-President of the body, Ruth Howard noted that the organisation has positioned itself to deliver a wider range of initiatives to ensure holistic development, support, reintegration and assistance to involuntary remigrant.

“Our five-year plan consists of best practices within its framework,” she added.
Howard said the plan entails empowering deported persons through a range of services and these will be achieved through a range of programmes, including the provision of employment for deported persons, skills training, liaising with partners and working with organisations to assist deported persons.

She said there may be many persons with skills which may be marketable and these persons may be able to contribute to the social economic status of the country. In addition, she said that on arrival, the migrants will be provided with appropriate social services in accordance with their needs. These will be available countrywide, she said.

The body will work towards the establishment of agricultural development projects with aim of providing further employment to deported persons.

The Juncata Juvant Society plans to establish a shelter facility, either independently or through collaboration with the private sector or Government.

Meanwhile, IOM’s Chief of Mission sand the Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, Robert Natiello, in brief remarks told the gathering that returning migrants possess many skills which can be utilised once they are reintegrated into the society.

According to Natiello, there are opportunities which exist for those persons to utilise after returning home. He noted, however, that there exists a concern, following the US elections earlier in November.

“The situation in the United States, the President-elect and incoming administration is cause for some concern for us in that there may be, or may see an increased number of deportees,” he said.

To this end, he called on the re-migrant population and the Juncata Juvant body, as well as public and private sector organisations to work together. “I think now we need to work together to prepare for these type of eventualities,” he said in the event of mass deportations.

The forum was well-attended on Monday, and after a late start, persons began trickling into the venue as some told of their experiences restarting life after being brought to Guyana after spending decades in the United States.