IOM Nicaragua is bringing together experts to discuss the impact of
the financial crisis on migration and remittances in Nicaragua.

Experts from IOM, the World Bank, (WB), the Inter American
Development Bank (IADB), the Spanish Agency for International
Cooperation and Development (AECID), Mexico's Institute for
Mexicans Abroad, academia and money transfer agencies will later
today analyze latest migration trends in the region and the impact
the crisis is having on remittances to families who depend on them
for their daily needs.

Berta Fernandez, IOM Chief of Mission in Nicaragua said,
"Contrary to what we hear and read, migrants are not taking jobs
away from the local population.  Therefore, calling for an end
to migration will not contribute to ending the financial
crisis.  Migrants help stimulate job growth and healthy
economic activity by complementing the local labour force."

One of the panels will focus on the how south-south remittances
sent from Costa Rica by Nicaraguan migrants are helping to diminish
extreme poverty amongst recipient families. 

According to participants from the Central American Academy, a
private research group based in San José, a third of all
Nicaraguan households receives remittances from families
abroad.

Their research shows that although 75 per cent of
Nicaraguan families said they received the same amounts in 2009 as
in 2008, remittances from Costa Rica to Nicaragua decreased from
USD 185 million in 2008 to USD 171 million in 2009.  Total
remittances sent by Nicaraguan migrants in 2009 amounted
to USD 784 million.

Almost 32 per cent of families interviewed said they
receive remittances once per month, 16.1 per cent receive
remittances between 18 and 24 times per year, and 11.5 per
cent said just twice per year.  But 28 per
cent said they also receive goods, such as shoes, clothing and
household appliances from families abroad.

"Today's discussions and information exchange is vital to design
policies that will ensure that migration and remittances will
continue to encourage development in countries of origin.  But
they're also important for short and long term strategies so that
migrants and their families can weather this and future economic
downturns," added Fernandez.

For more information please contact:

Berta Fernandez

IOM Nicaragua

Tel: +505.2 278 95 69

Email: "mailto:bfernandez@iom.int">bfernandez@iom.int