Challenges of Migrants’ Return: Food, Survival & Reintegration
African migrants returning home through an EU-funded program face significant challenges in reintegration, with many reporting that promised support such as business grants, vocational training, and medical assistance fails to materialize. This lack of follow-through impacts their financial stability, mental health, and access to nutritious food, particularly in countries like Guinea where poverty and food insecurity are widespread. For Malta’s food and restaurant community, the plight of these returnees highlights the transformative role of food security and healthy eating in recovery and resilience. Supporting initiatives that promote fair trade and sustainable sourcing from regions like West Africa can raise awareness about global food insecurity while celebrating the rich culinary traditions migrants bring. By fostering inclusivity and advocating for transparent reintegration programs, Malta’s dining scene can contribute to addressing broader issues of migration, health, and sustainability — driving positive change one meal and one opportunity at a time.
Title: "The Journey Home: Addressing the Challenges of Reintegration and Well-Being for Migrants"
Migration is often described as a journey of hope, but for many, it becomes a test of survival. Oumar Bella Diallo, a 24-year-old from Guinea, had his hopes dashed after spending almost a year attempting to reach Europe. Battling exhaustion, hunger, and near-death encounters, he eventually returned home through an EU-funded International Organization for Migration (IOM) program, which promised assistance to help him rebuild his life. Yet, Diallo’s experience reveals a broader issue: the disconnect between promises made and support delivered to migrants returning home, a challenge that impacts both physical and mental health.
The IOM program, launched in 2016 and funded almost entirely by the European Union (EU), has repatriated over 100,000 sub-Saharan migrants from North Africa and Niger between 2022 and 2025. While the initiative aims to help migrants reintegrate through business grants, vocational training, and medical or psychosocial assistance, many returnees report that the promised support fails to materialize. Diallo, for instance, received only a five-day orientation course on accountability and management — a program many struggled to comprehend due to low education levels — and a counselor’s phone number. His request for medical help for a foot injury sustained during his journey was denied.
This lack of follow-through impacts not only migrants’ financial stability but also their mental health, as they struggle with trauma, debt, and the stigma of returning empty-handed. Diallo, the eldest child of a single mother, described the immense pressure of being his family's primary breadwinner in Guinea, where over half the population lives in extreme poverty. “If there were, like elsewhere, job opportunities in the country, everyone would stay here,” he said.
For food enthusiasts and advocates of healthy lifestyles in Malta, the plight of returnees like Diallo underscores the importance of nutrition and mental wellness in recovery. Diallo’s story is not just about migration; it’s a stark reminder of how food insecurity and limited access to health services exacerbate the challenges of reintegration. Guinea, despite its vast natural resources, faces widespread poverty, with over 50% of its population unable to read or write and struggling to afford basic necessities. The World Food Program reports unprecedented levels of food insecurity in the country, which affects migrants’ ability to regain stability and thrive.
Food is more than sustenance; it’s a cornerstone of physical and mental health. This idea resonates deeply in Malta, where dining culture emphasizes fresh, wholesome ingredients and the Mediterranean lifestyle promotes longevity and well-being. Returnees like Diallo often rely on informal economies for survival, where access to nutritious food is scarce. For readers in Malta, this highlights the importance of food security and the transformative power of healthy eating in fostering resilience.
The migration crisis also raises questions about the sustainability of reintegration programs funded by the EU. A 2021 audit by the European Court of Auditors revealed insufficient monitoring of such programs, concluding that they failed to demonstrate sustainable reintegration results. Experts argue that the EU’s focus on returns overlooks the long-term needs of migrants, such as access to labor markets and social protection — critical components for rebuilding their lives.
Camille Le Coz of the Migration Policy Institute points out that reintegration programs often fail due to poorly functioning state services in migrants’ home countries. This failure is evident in the stories of returnees like Kabinet Kante, a 20-year-old aspiring footballer from Guinea. After being intercepted at sea and dumped in the desert, he returned home with the IOM’s help, hoping to learn how to operate heavy machinery. However, his calls for assistance have gone unanswered, leaving him to warn others about the dangers of migration through TikTok videos.
For Malta’s food and restaurant enthusiasts, Kante’s story offers a poignant perspective on how the lack of opportunities drives people to risk their lives in search of a better future. It also serves as a reminder of the role that access to nutritious food plays in recovery and reintegration. Restaurants in Malta can actively contribute to raising awareness about global food insecurity by supporting initiatives that promote fair trade and sustainable sourcing from regions like West Africa.
Migration is often described as “going on an adventure” in Guinea, but for many, it’s a desperate attempt to escape poverty. Diallo and Kante dream of working legally in Europe, where a stable income could help them support their families. However, the high rejection rate for visa applications from sub-Saharan countries makes this dream elusive. As Elhadj Mohamed Diallo, director of the Guinean Organization for the Fight Against Irregular Migration, observed, migration is a natural phenomenon: “Blocking a person is like blocking the tide. When you block water, the water will find its way.”
This sentiment aligns with Malta’s ethos of embracing diversity and fostering inclusivity, particularly in the food and hospitality sectors. Migrants bring rich culinary traditions and unique flavors that can enrich Malta’s vibrant dining scene. By supporting initiatives that empower migrants and promote sustainable reintegration, Malta’s restaurant community can contribute to global efforts to combat food insecurity and promote mental and physical health.
For readers passionate about food and health, the migration crisis invites reflection on how access to nutritious food, mental wellness, and sustainable employment can transform lives. Whether through supporting local initiatives or advocating for transparent reintegration programs, Malta’s food community has the power to drive positive change — one meal, one opportunity, and one story at a time.