Panama fights trafficking in persons through 17 awareness-raising and training activities
Panama. IOM Panama and the National Commission against Trafficking in Persons developed during September several activities to bolster awareness, prevention and capacity building to create strategies directed towards the elimination of trafficking in persons.
Regional Migration Program: Mesoamerica - The Caribbean begins its tenth phase
San José, Costa Rica. The Regional Migration Program: Mesoamerica-The Caribbean held its annual regional planning meeting on October 21-25. Participants in the meeting included the Program's regional and national teams, Chiefs of Mission of IOM, Donor Representatives, and representatives of the Governments of the countries that make up the Program: Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other Caribbean states.
The Government of Mexico, IOM, and ILO present new Guide to Migration Procedures
Mexico City– Faced with the increase in migrants seeking to settle in Mexican territory, the National Migration Institute of Mexico, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), presented a new Guide to Migration Procedures.
IOM Haiti implements MIDAS to improve security and border management
Over 100 thousand Haitians living in border areas cross into the Dominican Republic each week, and an estimated 2 out of every 3 of the 230 thousand recorded Haitian migrants do not have any form of documentation. Many of these people are exposed to human trafficking and migrant smuggling. In this context, IOM Haiti is acting to strengthen border security and migration management.
Mexico's State Migrant Assistance Offices trained their personnel on migration management
Mexico City– In response to the need to promote good migration management at the state level in Mexico, especially in places of origin, reception, and return, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided support for a Workshop on Migration Management in conjunction with the Coordination of State Migrant Assistance Offices (CONOFAM). Its purpose was to build the capacities of the State Migrant Assistance Offices (OFAM).
IOM presents new regional migration report covering the 8 SICA countries
San Salvador. On October 28, the results of a broad baseline study on migration and displacement in the region of SICA (Central American Integration System: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Belize, and the Dominican Republic) were presented. It is the first time that a study of this magnitude has been performed, given that previous efforts were concentrated in northern Central America or on specific aspects of migration.
IOM and its partners support efforts for improving labor migration management in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean
During the month of September, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its partners in different countries of the region met with various actors with the goal of discussing labor migration management for the benefit of all sectors.
In conjunction with the Central American Federation of Agricultural and Agro-industrial Chambers (FECAGRO), IOM has begun developing a proposal to create a regional coordination mechanism for labor migration management in the agricultural sector in Central America and the Dominican Republic.
IOM builds capacities of state and consular personnel in Mexico for migration governance and crisis management
Mexico. This September, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided support for two workshops in Mexico, with the objective of training personnel to better address the needs of the migrant population.
One was a workshop on migration governance in conjunction with the Coordination of State Migrant Assistance Offices (CONOFAM), which had the objective of strengthening its offices, known as OFAM. Forty representatives of CONOFAM participated from various states and public institutions at the federal level.
IOM Belize improves access to migration information at key locations in the country
Belize City. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is supporting government efforts to improve access to information about migration. Additionally, it is continuing its activities in Belize to prevent irregular migration and the risks associated with it, such as human trafficking.
The Darien improves its tools for managing extra-regional migration flows
Panama. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) held a capacity-building workshop for officials in the Darien border zone. The activity took place on September 10-12 and participants included the National Border Service (SENAFRONT), the National Migration Service (SNM), the Directorate of Judicial Investigation, the Human Trafficking Division of the National Police, and the Ministry of Health.