Key Protection Challenges linked to Migration Flows Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 9 June 2015 Comité Régional pour la Gestion des Catastrophes en Afrique de l’Ouest (GECEAO) 9e Consultation Annuelle

Overview  The impact of emergencies on the civil population  What is Protection and who is in charge  Humanitarian Principles  IOM and its approach to protection  Case studies:  Libya  CAR  Niger  Côte d’Ivoire

Emergencies on the Civil Population How can emergencies affect civil populations? Limited or no access to basic services Loss of property Loss of income and of capacity to provide Injury, sickness, loss of life Disruption of family ties Loss of documentation and related civil rights Limited or no application of the law Abuses and sexist violence Food insecurity, etc. All of the civil population becomes vulnerable or more vulnerable

Protection What is Protection? “… All activities aimed at ensuring full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the relevant bodies of law, i.e. human rights law, international humanitarian law, and refugee law” Framework for Protection in Emergencies: Statement of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Principals, endorsed on 17 December 2013, The Centrality of Protection in Humanitarian Action Who is responsible for Protection? A State has the duty to protect all persons on its territory, nationals and non nationals alike. Each State also has the right – and the duty – to defend and protect its nationals abroad, and to allow other States to protect their nationals residing on its territory. Many other international actors, including IOM, have a key supporting role to play in achieving the effective respect of the human rights of migrants. Certain intergovernmental organizations have a formal legal protection function based on mandate (such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)

Humanitarian Principles Humanity Neutrality Impartiality Independence

IOM in a nutshell Intergovernmental Organization created in 1951 Mandate: the promotion of humane and orderly migration in the interest of all Intervention axis: Promote humane and orderly migrations; Promote international cooperation in the field of migration; Facilitate practical solutions to the challenges of migration; Provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, whether refugees, Internally displaced or other people IOM does not have a formal protection mandate but through its activities provides a de facto protection to migrants

IOM’s Approach to Protection Strengthening integration of humanitarian/protection principles in every dimension of crisis response: Protection mainstreaming Do no harm Safety and dignity Meaningful access Participation, empowerment and accountability Protection integration Selected sectors of assistance already integrate specific protection concerns e.g. CCCM increasingly integrates GBV and CP considerations Stand-alone protection programmes Responding, restoring and environment building protection actions are implemented in response to specific violations. e.g: MCOF sectors like CT in emergencies, MHPSS

IOM in the Field  Stranded Migrants: Libya 2011  Evacuation of enclaved populations: CAR 2014  Mix Migration Flows : Niger 2014  Evacuation of Third Country Nations (TCNs) from Cote d’Ivoire: 2011

Civil Unrest in Libya 2.5 million migrants possibly in Libya Many relevant Embassies without a representation in neighboring countries Many vulnerable migrants such as Victims of Trafficking (VoT), Unaccompanied Migrants and Children (UMC), etc.

Libya Lessons learned Advocating for and supporting if necessary the presence of consular missions Involving the host country authorities Envisaging a focal point within the United Nations or Civil Society system for each specific vulnerability

Ethnic Conflict - The CAR Crisis 935,000 displaced Thousands people enclaved Humanitarian evacuations Direct assistance (health, NFI, Shelter, etc.)

CAR Lessons Learned Political and ethical sensitivity of humanitarian evacuations Fit for Travel and medical assistance pre-departure and during travel is essential Logistics, particularly linked to security and personal belongings is very challenging Transports need to be organized in such a way as to minimize protection issues (SGBV, abuse, etc)

Mix Migration Flows: Niger Three transit and assistance centers for registration, shelter, food assistance, NFIs, health support, psychosocial assistance, family reunification and voluntary return

Niger Lessons Learned Provide information to migrants in transit and in the areas of origin Reinforce humanitarian assistance for Migrants in need Invest in socio-economic integration activities Maintain flow monitoring mechanisms

Evacuation from Abidjan 2011 Civil war intensified in Abidjan in early 2011 Limited movement of population, shortage of basic necessities, etc. Migrants stranded at Embassies and calls to evacuate Evacuation of stranded migrants to Mali and Mauritania Targeting the most vulnerable population Road transport and security

Lessons learned in Cote d’Ivoire Some Embassies are not prepared for sudden major displacement of their nationals Lack of up-to-date data on migrant population Associations of foreign nationals very effective National staff essential in emergencies Cooperation from victims essential for assistance Collaboration with Government authorities especially security personnel useful

Conclusions Important population movements expose migrants to protection risks Protection risks and consequences can be mitigated by: Mainstreaming protection in all activities Promoting protection specific programs Key actions to ensure protection of migrant and displaced populations include: The Government are the primary actors and their capacity needs to be supported and reinforced Promote understanding of rights and obligations Know well the situation (people, physical and social environment) Create an environment that reduces the probability of risks linked to protection Support intervention mechanisms

Thank you Questions?