Nicaragua - Officials from the 11 countries that make up the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) are this week holding their annual meeting in Managua, Nicaragua, where they are discussing migration issues of common concern and focusing on migrants’ vulnerability in the region, despite the impressive advances achieved since the creation of the RCM.

During the four-day meeting, ending today, vice ministers of foreign affairs and interior, and senior migration officials  are focusing on the central theme: For a Region Free of Human Trafficking, by exchanging information, shared experiences and best practices, and holding in-depth discussions on ways to promote and increase regional cooperation on this and other migration issues.

In his remarks, IOM’s Director General, Ambassador William Lacy Swing said:  “The world and this region have been shaped by migration.  Unfortunately, migration continues to be seen as a threat even though it contributes significantly to development.  Every day, migrants suffer abuses, discrimination, exclusion and gross human rights violations.”

Director General Swing stressed: “One of the migrant groups in greatest need of protection is migrant children, especially those who are unaccompanied.  IOM is deeply concerned about the protection of migrant children who are exposed to unimaginable risks as they seek opportunities or escape conditions at home.”

“The dramatic increase in children migrating north should not only demand from all of us immediate action, it should also be seen as an opportunity to address disparities and vulnerabilities in their home communities, which are the structural causes, and an opportunity to provide a coordinated regional response.  In the long term, the solution lies in addressing the economic and security challenges in the region. But even in the short term a collaborative approach is needed if the migrant children of Central America and Mexico are to be better protected.”

Another major issue discussed in the RCM was the wave of children who have crossed the US-Mexican border to join their families, to escape violence and poverty in their home communities, or for economic opportunities.  It is estimated that the number of children entering the U.S. in 2014 will be more than double the number from last year, with thousands arriving unaccompanied every month.   Some 80% of children detected crossing the border are said to be from Central America.

IOM, through its presence in all countries in the region, has considerable experience addressing these challenges.  Through information campaigns, IOM warns parents of the dangers of sending their children north with smugglers.  IOM also works with migrant children and families in shelters in transit countries and when they return home.

Action is also needed to help returning children to better reintegrate into their home communities through scholarships, sports groups, arts activities, counselling, education, and even job training. This assistance should be complemented by governments’ increased focus on protecting children in the region.

The meeting was also an opportunity for IOM to launch its Regional Strategy for Central America, North American and the Caribbean 2014-2016.  During his official visit to Nicaragua, IOM’s Director General will hold bilateral meetings with senior Nicaragua Government Officials including Samuel Santos López, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

In the past 18 years, the countries of the RCM (Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and the United States), have remained committed to continue frank discussions on regional migration issues, and have undertaken regional efforts to protect the human rights of migrants and strengthen the integrity of each member state's immigration laws, borders, and national security.

IOM provides technical and logistical support to the RCM Technical Secretariat, which receives its policy direction and supervision from the incumbent Presidency Pro- Tempore to follow up on the mandates and instructions issued at the end of the annual meetings.   IOM also implements projects related to migrant smuggling and human trafficking and provides return assistance to vulnerable migrants on behalf of RCM member countries.

For information on the Regional Conference on Migration, please visit its website at: http://www.rcmvs.org/ or contact Oliver Bush, Email: obush@iom.int, Tel: 506-2212-5327.

For information on IOM’s work in the Regional Conference on Migration and on IOM’s Regional Strategy, please contact Salvador Gutierrez, Email: sgutierrez@iom.int, Tel +506-2212-5337.