Alexandria, 28 March 2021 - IOM Egypt organized two trainings on passport examination procedures for the Egyptian Forensic Medicine Authority (EFMA). The training accommodated 52 Forensic Experts from eight governorates.
The six-day trainings were facilitated by Mr. Neil Roberts from IOM's African Capacity Building Centre (ACBC). Mr. Neil Roberts is an IOM Expert in Border Management and Immigration. Participants acquired in-depth and hands-on experience on passport examination, using verification equipment to identify forged and counterfeit documents.
IOM is committed to supporting the Government of Egypt to ensure orderly, safe and humane migration. This includes the activities intended for strengthening the capacities to identify and detect unlawful activities related to migration. The training for the Forensic Medical Authority follows similar trainings already conducted with law enforcement officers.
In line with the above, IOM Egypt supports the provision of equipment to detect fraud and manipulation of passports, in addition to chemicals for DNA sampling and sequencing.
The training programme and equipment were funded by the United States as part of the IOM intervention “Africa Regional Migration Programme”. The intervention supports the Government of Egypt in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 10.7: “Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies”, and Goal 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all”. The training is also in line with the objectives of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Vision 2030.