Majuro – IOM Micronesia has handed over Phase I of a Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) to the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).    

For the past 10 months IOM has been working closely with the RMI’s Ministry of Justice, Immigration and Labour, through the Division of Immigration, to introduce and integrate the new system to existing border crossing operations and manual processes in use for the past five years.   

The project involved extensive training of RMI immigration officers. This included Immigration and Border Management (IBM) and Passport Examination Procedure courses, and MIDAS Administrator, Installation and User Training workshops, including data management, capturing biometrics, purpose of travel, visas and alert lists.   

MIDAS is now in full operation at Amata Kabua International Airport and Majuro Seaport (Delap and Uliga Docks.) A second phase will include the installation of MIDAS at Kwajalein Atoll (Kwaj Airport – US Military base and Ebeye Seaport), as well as permanent workstations at Uliga Dock for issuing and monitoring shore passes.   

With the capability to collect, process, store, and analyze traveller information in real time and across an entire border network, MIDAS will enable the RMI Government to more effectively monitor those entering and exiting their territory, while providing a sound statistical basis for migration policy-related planning.    

The MIDAS handover was held at Amata Kabua International Airport yesterday (7/3) and included an official demonstration of MIDAS and ribbon cutting.   

“IOM’s relationship with the RMI Government goes back ten years. We are committed to supporting RMI’s objective to strengthen border management, including counter trafficking efforts and migrant services,” said IOM Majuro Head of Office Angela Saunders.   

Funded by the RMI Government, the Republic of the Marshall Islands is the first country in the Pacific region to install the MIDAS border management system customized to its country-specific needs.     

For more information, please contact Laura Freeman at IOM Republic of the Marshall Islands, Tel: +692 625 4707, Email: lfreeman@iom.int