Kazakhstan provides assistance to migrants
International Organization for Migration, involving about 300 representatives from 90 UN Member States, international organizations and civil society, held a webinar on the protection of migrants within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, Strategy2050.kz reports with the reference to the press service of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The purpose of the event was to exchange experience in assisting migrants as part of measures taken by governments to stabilize the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Director General of the International Organization for Migration Mr. António Vitorino emphasized the importance of the issue under consideration in the framework of the global fight against coronavirus. He noted that the level of people’s mobility around the world has plummeted because of the pandemic. Representatives of Nigeria, France, Kazakhstan, Zimbabwe and Egypt made speeches as well.
Zhanar Aitzhanova, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, reported on measures taken by Kazakhstan in support of migrants, including the development of rules for the stay of foreigners during a state of emergency and quarantine, the extension of visa periods for migrants, the provision of humanitarian assistance to them, as well as the opportunity to cross the state border by 500 Kyrgyz migrants and several hundred citizens of Uzbekistan.
The Kazakh diplomat emphasized the successful cooperation of the foreign ministries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in providing transit corridors for 243 migrants.
At the end of her speech, Mrs. Aitzhanova said that Kazakhstan will continue to provide assistance to migrants in the current difficult epidemiological situation in the world.
