4 Female Sierra Leoneans Return Home From Iraq
Tehran, Thursday 23 October 2026
The Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Tehran, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has successfully facilitated the repatriation of four Sierra Leonean women who had been stranded after travelling to Iraq in search of employment.
The four women have now returned safely to Freetown, where they have been reunited with their families following coordinated efforts by the Embassy and IOM in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
According to accounts provided by the women, they travelled to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq after being recruited through agents who promised them employment as domestic workers earning about US$500 per month. They said more than US$2,000 had been paid in connection with the arrangements for their travel and employment.
However, the women said conditions upon arrival were significantly different from what they had been promised. They alleged that their passports were taken by their employers and that they experienced maltreatment, difficult working conditions, delayed salary payments and wages considerably below the amounts initially promised.
The women reportedly worked in Kurdistan for between three and four years. Following the expiration of their respective employment contracts, they spent more than six months searching unsuccessfully for alternative employment before deciding to return home to Sierra Leone.
Their situation became more complicated when, according to their account, they paid US$1,300 to another agent who promised to facilitate their journey to Turkey. The promised arrangements reportedly failed to materialise.
The women subsequently came into contact with Iranian authorities and were referred to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Tehran for assistance. Upon receiving them, the Embassy worked closely with IOM in Iran to facilitate the necessary documentation, travel arrangements and other support required for their safe and orderly return to Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Excellency Salamu Koroma, encouraged the women to draw lessons from their experiences and use their return home as an opportunity to rebuild their lives. He urged them to channel what they had learnt into making positive choices that would benefit themselves, their families and their country.
The successful repatriation underscores the important consular role played by Sierra Leone’s diplomatic missions in protecting and assisting nationals facing difficulties abroad, as well as the value of cooperation with international partners such as IOM in facilitating the safe return of vulnerable migrants.
The four women are now safely back in Freetown and reunited with their families.
Elizabeth Mamie Campbell
Information Attaché
Sierra Leone Embassy
Tehran/Iran
elizbethallie@gmail.com
