Partners of the Mesoamerica Program in El Salvador shared their accomplishments during the visit of the Department of State of the United States

 
5 January, 2018

Representatives of the Salvadorian municipalities impacted by migration, such as La Union and Ahuachapán, as well as national civil security and migration institutions, shared their experience in the implementation of actions supported by the Mesoamerica Program. This exchange took place on December 1st of 2017, during Mr. Holliday´s visit, in representation of the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) of the Department of State of the United States, donor of the IOM Mesoamerica Program.

Representatives from La Union showed the progress made by the local inter-institutional network on migration in the department, highlighting the improvement in interinstitutional coordination for the resolution of cases through innovative virtual communication channels and the strengthening of capacities for migration management.

The role played by the information hubs in La Union and Ahuachapán for the assistance of migrants and the development of information sessions on the prevention of irregular migration in educational centers, was also noticed.

Youth also had the opportunity to share their experience: members of the National Youth Institute made reference to how they have implemented the knowledge gained during diverse trainings on youth migration with other youth and in alliance with key partners, such as the Association of Community Radios of El Salvador who provided support for the dissemination of the radio ads on migration developed by youth itself.

Ernesto Castellon, Chief of the maritime and land ports of the General Directorate on Migration, presented the results of the ID. card project for girls, boys and adolescents in the border areas of Arambala, Nahuaterique and Perkin, which allowed the granting of a border ID. card to 3.703 children.

As part of his monitoring visit, Mr. Holliday visited the Center for Migrant Children and their Families in Border Areas: he was able to visit the recreation hall, the interview hall and dorms, which were fitted with financial support of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, INL. The Mesoamerica Program provided complementary support with the development of standard operating procedures and training on migrant children case management.