Ahmed was born and raised in Casablanca, Morocco, and from a young age, he cultivated a passion for photography. He would often spend hours wandering the streets of his city, capturing shots of everyday life. However, as he grew older, Ahmed became increasingly frustrated with the limited opportunities in his homeland. Despite his talent and passion, he struggled to find work to support himself and his family.

As a photographer, Ahmed had seen pictures of the European metropoles, their tall buildings and lively streets, and he wished to be a part of that world. He had big dreams of going to Europe and starting a new life, as he had heard stories of a better life and more opportunities there. With this in mind, one day, he packed his bags and set out on a long and difficult journey, filled with uncertainty on one side, and hope and eagerness for a new life, on the other side.

However, his dream was shattered when he was stranded in Kosovo after several efforts to migrate to a European country. After a month of irregular stay in Kosovo, Ahmed came to know that one of his family members was experiencing health problems and decided to refrain from further attempts. Using the Infoline number, he reached the IOM Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) team for assistance to return to his country of origin. The IOM AVRR responded promptly by referring Ahmed to the registration point and accommodating him in the Temporary Reception Centre, where he was taken care of by offering him shelter, food, medical treatment, psychosocial support and clothes to date.

Through AVRR Programme, IOM is facilitating safe, dignified and voluntary return of migrants stranded in the Western Balkans, particularly vulnerable migrants, ensuring that returnees’ needs are addressed, and their skills are harnessed. With the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IOM is supporting protection-sensitive assistance to migrants in transit, by increasing the accommodation and reception capacities of existing reception facilities in the Western Balkans.

“I will take this experience as a valuable lesson to start a new life in Morocco from a different perspective as a photographer”, Ahmed would often tell the IOM team who extended him unwavering support in these challenging situations.

As he entered the departure section of Pristina Airport on 6 March, he felt a mixture of emotions – the sadness of not being able of becoming a part of the world he wanted to, and excitement at the new opportunities that lay ahead.

[Nᴏᴛᴇ﹕ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴡᴀs ᴄʜᴀɴɢᴇᴅ ᴀᴛ ʜɪs ʀᴇqᴜᴇsᴛ]