IOM Belize improves access to migration information at key locations in the country

 
Belize
10 October, 2019

Belize City. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is supporting government efforts to improve access to information about migration. Additionally, it is continuing its activities in Belize to prevent irregular migration and the risks associated with it, such as human trafficking.

Given the support that IOM provides to the Government of Belize, a need was detected for improved access to information about migration at the country's ports of entry. IOM provided technological equipment and technical support to the Government in order to provide information in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Mandarin about the benefits of orderly, safe, and regular migration, the signs of human trafficking, and tools for obtaining trustworthy information, such as MigApp.

These efforts to make migration information available in foreign languages are part of the response to  migration flows Belize is currently experiencing. The Regional Director of IOM, Marcelo Pisani, commented that, “this platform is an addition to the efforts of the Government in the fight against human trafficking and provides relevant information for migrants.”

IOM also visited Valley of Peace Christian School and St. Matthew’s Government School, both in Belmopan, where they held workshops in conjunction with the Children’s Development Foundation with 150 primary school children, focusing on defining basic migration concepts and developing tools for equality and inclusion as part of prevention efforts.

Additionally, IOM took part in the “Expo Belize Marketplace” September 14-15, with a booth raising awareness about the risks of irregular migration and human trafficking. Over 500 people shared personal stories or those of acquaintances about migration experiences and learned about the functions of MigApp, the mobile app for migration. 

All these activities were held as part of the Regional Migration Program: Mesoamerica-The Caribbean, with the support of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) of the Department of State of the United States.