South America - IOM Regional Director for South America, the Director of the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) and senior staff from both organizations are this week meeting in the Argentinean capital, Buenos Aires, to discuss the human rights of migrants, migration realities and needs in South America, and the development of joint projects to assist migrants and build the capacity of migration officials.

The Cooperation Agreement signed by IOM and SIMN in 2011, allows for the development of joint migration projects, training and capacity building for governments and other partners, and to conduct research.

The Director of Rede Internacional Scalabriniana de Migração, Sérgio Gheller, said: “This meeting between our organizations will consolidate our work with IOM in South America, including assessing the migration reality and needs in our region, as well as the creation of joint projects to provide assistance to migrants.”

Diego Beltrand, IOM Regional Director for South America, added: “This meeting is vital for the South American continent, but also for IOM worldwide, as we work towards increasing our partnerships with civil society organizations.   Our work with civil society has proven that together we can enhance the assistance provided to migrants.”

In Colombia, IOM and SIMN have worked together on the registration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), assistance to victims of trafficking in persons, and providing emergency assistance to vulnerable populations in border areas.

The SIMN is active in Central America and Mexico providing humanitarian assistance to migrants at their welcome centers in Tijuana, Nuevo Laredo and Tapachula in Mexico, and in Guatemala in the capital Guatemala City and the border town of Tecún Umán.

In Haiti, the Scalabrinians built a medical center in Croix-des-Bouquets and a primary school in Camp Corail.  They are also building homes for Haitians displaced by the 2010 earthquake.

The Scalabrini International Migration Network is one of the more than 50 civil society organizations that hold IOM Observer Status.

For more information, please contact

Ezequiel Texidó
IOM Buenos Aires
Email: Etexido@iom.int
Tel: 54 11 5219 2033/4/5

The Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN, http://www.scalabrinimigration.org/) is an umbrella organization established in 2005 by the Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles, Scalabrinians, with more than 250 entities involved in various activities and services helping people on the move around the world.