Switzerland - IOM, with the support of the Non-Governmental Organization consortium International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), Tuesday will host delegates from more than 40 NGOs and 17 countries to a one-day meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on humanitarian action concerning displaced populations and migrants.

More than 80 participants, including Church World Service, Save the Children, Danish Refugee Council,  Jesuit Refugee Service, Norwegian Refugee Council, World Vision International, among many others will convene at the Auditorium Jacques-Freymond (AJF), 132 Rue de Lausanne on Lake Geneva.

The all-day agenda of events includes sessions on new approaches to funding; joint advocacy messaging; collecting and sharing data on displacement for action; migrants in crisis and the search for durable solutions through joint innovative approaches.

“Understanding complex patterns of mobility emanating from crisis situations around the world increasingly challenges the humanitarian community,” said Mohamed Abdiker, Director of Operation and Emergencies at IOM. “We have a common interest in collecting and sharing data on displacement that can lead to action, the need to ensure that migrants do not fall through the cracks of our response to crisis situations.”

IOM Deputy Director General Laura Thompson, who opened the event, added: “We decided this year, with the increasing challenges in responding to the multiple concurrent humanitarian crises of both natural disasters and conflict related – from Nepal to the Central African Republic – to hold a dedicated consultation with all of you, our humanitarian partners, with a focus on displaced populations and migrants. There is certainly truth to the adage that ‘There is strength in numbers’ especially in terms of humanitarian response, as none of us can respond to this level of disasters and atrocities on our own.”

The session begins Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM with registration and will conclude at 17:30 with closing remarks by IOM Director General William Lacy Swing.

For further information, please contact Josina Sibblies, IOM Department of Operations and Emergencies, Tel: +41 22 717 9320, Email: jsibblies@iom.int