Migration in the Americas
www.ifrc.org Saving lives, changing minds.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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Migration in the Americas
Immigrants are headed for the post of the ICRC and Honduran Red Cross to receive information on the situation, restoration of family links and first aid and delivery of a health and water kit. Javier Arcenillas / Honduran Red Cross
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) works with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to meet the immediate needs of migrants in countries of origin, transit and destination, and to call for principled action to protect the dignity and well-being of vulnerable people who have left their homes The region hosts around 26.6 per cent of the world’s migrants 61.6 million people. Migrants and internally displaced persons who try to re-establish themselves in other places are often subjected to discrimination, violence and lack of access to social and health services. Migration represents a growing challenge that affects the continuity of healthcare and the management, treatment and prevention of communicable diseases. Migrants and internally displaced populations have significant impact on their communities of origin and destination.1
The main destinations of migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean are: United States 70 per cent, followed by 15 per cent that migrate to other countries in the region such as Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. However, the overall impact depends on the total population of the country. Although Mexico is among the countries that receives the most migrants (almost 1 million), this represents less than 1 per cent of its population. However, Costa Rica’s latest national census reports 385,000 registered migrants, which represents 9 per cent of its population, making it the highest percentage in the region.2
1. Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2015. UNHCR 2015 2. Latin American and Caribbean migration trends and patterns from 2010 onwards, and its challenges for a regional agenda. Series No. 109 Population and Development. ECLAC 2014 Cover photo: Immigrants coming back for Mexico by the border crossing point in Corinto on the Guatemala and Honduras border. Javier Arcenillas / Honduran Red Cross
MIGRATORY ROUTES IN THE AMERICAS
USA
(2010 data)
26.6%
Siria
MEXICO
To USA
To USA
of the world’s migrants live in the Americas (61 million persons)
CUBA
GUATEMALA
NICARAGUA PANAMA
THE CARIBBEAN
To USA
VENEZUELA
COSTA RICA
COLOMBIA
Africa
Between 2000 and 2015, the number of migrants in the Americas increased by 35.7%, 16.7 million more. The United States is the destination for 70% of migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean
ECUADOR BRAZIL PERU
In 2015, the number of migrants in the Americas reached
63.7million
BOLIVIA PARAGUAY
To USA
Of the total number of migrants,
50.4% are women
CHILE ARGENTINA
URUGUAY
17.4%
are below 20 years of age
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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Vulnerabilities surrounding migration are diverse and vary in relation to the reality of each country. However, certain groups are more prone to heightened vulnerability, including persons affected by violence, women, boys and girls, youth, as well as the indigenous, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) populations. Migration in the Americas is a complex and multidimensional issue that requires a coherent humanitarian response. Poverty, family reunification, inequities and violence seem to be common factors that motivate people to migrate. On their journey, migrants are increasingly exposed to risks, such as the possibility of enduring physical, emotional or material damage.3
What we do Migrant population in transit
Health
Migrant Migrant • Basic health services population in population in • Psychosocial support mandated voluntary • Water, sanitation and hygiene return return promotion
Protection • Promotion of migrant’s rights at all levels • Providing social and legal assistance • Restoring family links • Improving local institutional capacities
Public Awareness and Advocacy • Strategic communication • Public awareness and education • Institutional advocacy
Host Community Engagement Community participation and accountability Transformative service provision Community volunteering
3. Central American Migration in transit through Mexico towards the United States: Analysis and Recommendations. ITAM. June 2014.
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Migration in The Americas
What we offer Strengthen National Society Capabilities • Better understanding of migratory patterns and trends in the Americas and the Caribbean • Improve response and crisis services • Support the development of policies, and integrated plans and projects on migration • Strengthen the capabilities of staff and volunteers on relevant migration and social inclusion issues • Create and promote collaborative networks for sharing experiences • Knowledge transfer on migration and peer-to-peer initiatives
Improve Assistance and Protection • Risk reduction interventions with migrants • Strengthen and expand services: health, information on migrant rights • Direct actions especially focused on priority groups (children, women, youth, refugees and displaced persons), including stigma and discrimination • Integrate communities along the migratory trails
Advocate and Promote Public Awareness • P romote Red Cross Fundamental Principles • Engage in migration related humanitarian diplomacy • Communicate on the causes, risks and effects of migration in the Americas • Develop partnerships for migration • Liaison with local, national and regional authorities
MIGRATION IN THE AMERICAS National Societies
RESOURCES SECURITY VOLUNTEERING RISK MANAGEMENT
CROSS-CUTTING COMPONENTS
AUXILIARY ROLE
IFRC
ICRC
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• Focus on the needs and vulnerabilities of migrants • Include migrants in humanitarian programming • Support the aspirations of migrants • Recognise the rights of migrants
Improving protection and reducing vulnerabilities of migrants in the Americas
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KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
Strengthening knowledge management within the Movement through collaborative platforms and spaces designed for information exchange and increasing internal and external visibility
4 AREAS OF ACTION
IFRC Policy on Migration
STIGMA AND NON-DISCRIMINATION Reducing stigma and discrimination and promoting inclusion of migrants in the Americas
• Link assistance, protection and humanitarian advocacy for migrants • Build partnerships for migrants • Work along the migratory trails • Assist migrants in return
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• Respond to the displacement of populations
HUMANITARIAN DIPLOMACY
• Alleviate migration pressures on communities of origin
Exercising humanitarian diplomacy to protect the dignity and rights of vulnerable migrants
The “Violence and legal protection in migration in Central America’s Northern Triangle” initiative targets children, teens and youth at elevated social risk. The aim of the initiative is to improve understanding of the migratory phenomenon and the related protection needs so that the acquired knowledge contributes to
the analysis of what is happening in the region, and to the design of an intervention strategy in favour of migrant children and youth in Central America. This initiative is hosted by the Guatemalan Red Cross.
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RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS IN ACTION WHAT IT IS
Rights of Migrants in Action is a global initiative to promote and protect the rights of migrants in targeted countries, migration corridors and regions through a globally coordinated civil society action.
15 COUNTRIES IN 5 REGIONS Benin, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand and Zimbabwe
How it works COORDINATION with international, regional and local strategic partners and stakeholders
DIALOGUE
RESEARCH
International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent, governments, United Nations, donors, civil society organisations, private sector, academic institutions, media and unions.
CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORKS
Research in
15 countries on work-related migration and human trafficking
Drafting and disseminating key and specific awareness raising messages. Regional dialogues
ACCESS OF MIGRANTS TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND PROTECTION 43 projects with civil society organisations Between April 2014 and December 2017
Direct attention was provided to approximately 116,000 migrants and indirect attention to approximately 400,000 migrants Special direct attention was provided to migrant domestic workers and victims of human trafficking
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Migration in The Americas
Beneficiaries Migrant domestic workers 15% Victims of human trafficking 19% Victims of human trafficking and migrant domestic workers 66%
Areas of intervention of selected projects Protection 6% Awareness raising 20% Awareness raising 36% Services 37%
For more information write to: rightsmigrants_action@ifrc.org or go to: www.ifrc.org
Javier Arcenillas / Honduran Red Cross.
There is always work in “el Norte”- says Juan in the Centre for returned migrants in Omoa, Honduras Juan is having a lively talk with his four friends. Although it’s early and the air is cold, they’re making enthusiastic plans for the journey that they will start to reach that place where they believe everything is possible, “el Norte, up North” or “the States”. No one would guess that this is the third time this group of friends has been returned from Mexico to Honduras. Juan and his friends are part of the 1,200 people per week who receive attention at the Centre for Migrant Care in Omoa, in the department of Cortés in Honduras, very close to the Guatemalan border. The Honduran Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Honduran Red Cross work together in this centre.
“There are no jobs in Honduras, but up north you can always find work. I have several cousins who have been there for years already, they live well and even have cars.” Juan and his friends have already gone through a medical examination at the centre, they’ve made phone calls to family and friends through the Restoring Family Links programme and now they’re finishing breakfast. One of Juan’s friends says, “I can’t
give you my name, but what I can tell you is that journey is very difficult. Everyone mistreats you; they treat you badly, as if you were a strange animal because you decided to leave your country. No one wants to help you or even give you directions on where to buy medication. Also, you need to always be on the lookout in case robbers identify you and follow you to steal whatever savings you’re carrying. I’m calm now because everything’s already been stolen everything from me. I’ll figure it out from here on.” The centre has medical facilities for consultations and first aid, a reception area, dining room and kitchen, temporary accommodation, an area to make phone calls and an area for hygiene kit distribution. Volunteers have been well trained in first aid and psychosocial support. “Before the centre existed, there was no organisation or relief group to care for these people. Being able to help is very emotional, I feel very happy to be able to help”, says Oscar Madrid, a Honduran Red Cross volunteer. There is a lot of movement in the centre, and each returnee has a story. “I have to get money to pay for a very complicated surgery that my daughter needs,” says José. “I can no longer live with fear and violence; I want to have a life, and here with so many gangs it’s impossible,” says Clara. Some will continue their journey that same day. “I think this centre is a good place because you can tell your family that you’re okay, but I can’t go back to my house here in Honduras. I need work and I can’t find any here, so I’m going to try again,” says Juan as he bids goodbye and walks to the exit gate of the centre. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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Contact information:
José Félix Rodríguez T. Senior Officer, Social Inclusion josefelix.rodriguez@ifrc.org Julie Hoare Head, Partnerships and Resource Development julie.hoare@ifrc.org
© International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 2017