Migrants in Vulnerable Situations

In recent years, the European Union (EU) has taken steps to improve child protection, yet some Member States do not have an integrated approach. The European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) first produced an overview of child protection systems in the EU in 2014, and an update in 2023. The data is published in FRA’s ‘Mapping of Child Protection Systems...

The Course on Protecting the Human Rights of Migrants at Sea, and this underpinning Facilitator's Guide, has been developed for practitioners training national authorities in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region – and is likely to be of value to national authorities in other regions as well. Its main purpose is to strengthen the technical...

In communities with high levels of migration, ensuring that vulnerable groups – such as migrants, sex workers and young vulnerable people (YVP) – have access to essential services is critical. Community referral systems help bridge this gap by linking individuals to health and non-health services to ensure no one is left behind. The IOM Sexual and...

Human trafficking is a violation of fundamental human rights and is linked to a range of core development issues, including poverty and vulnerability, gender and racial inequality, and gender-based violence. The Sustainable Development Goals include a target to end modern slavery and human trafficking by the year 2030. Human trafficking is a multifaceted...

This training manual for law enforcement officers, Trafficking in Persons: Effective First Response and Proactive and Reactive Investigation of Trafficking, was developed and launched by IOM Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and with financial support from the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons of the United States...

The development of this training manual represents a major step towards standardizing the response to trafficking and strengthening protection services for identified victims of trafficking within the Zimbabwean context. Victims of trafficking have various needs, including repatriation, medical, mental health and psychosocial assistance, and livelihood or...

Funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the project "Labour Standards on Fishing Vessels” aims to support Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to address the issue of poor working conditions, labour rights violations and human trafficking on fishing vessels in the Pacific, and to contribute to making employment on fishing vessels in...

The report provides an overview of key concepts, trends, and challenges related to migrant smuggling worldwide. It delineates the distinction between "smuggling of migrants" and "trafficking in persons." It examines the factors driving smuggling, the actors involved, and the evolving routes and methods used. The report highlights the risks migrants face...

The report highlights the perilous journeys faced by migrants in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The report records a significant increase in fatalities, with 4,984 deaths and disappearances compared to 3,820 in 2022. The report highlights the challenges of unreported incidents, especially in vast desert areas and at sea. The Mediterranean...

North Africa remains a significant destination, transit, and origin for international migration, with migrants often facing vulnerabilities and requiring support and protection. This report highlights the challenges faced by migrants in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. During this period, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)...

The study was commissioned to explore trafficking in persons in the Levant countries, aiming to produce reliable evidence on crisis and vulnerability to trafficking. It identifies key forms of trafficking, including labor exploitation, forced recruitment, forced marriage, and sexual exploitation. The study highlights the exacerbation of vulnerabilities due...

The report provides comprehensive guidance for child protection actors on coordinating responses in humanitarian contexts. It aims to ensure more predictable, accountable, and effective child protection interventions during emergencies. The handbook covers various aspects of coordination, including information management, strategic planning, and capacity...

The report examines gender-based violence (GBV) risk reduction strategies in shelter programs through three case studies: the Benin Floods (2011), the Nepal Earthquake (2015), and Typhoon Hagupit in the Philippines (2015). Each case study highlights the context, challenges, and outcomes of implementing GBV risk reduction measures in emergency shelter...

This report published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), outlines comprehensive guidelines for identifying migrants who lack official documentation. The procedures emphasize a humane and orderly approach, adhering to international human rights standards. The report covers key areas such as initial screening and data collection, which...

La Convención sobre el Estatuto de los Refugiados de 1951 provee una definición internacionalmente aceptada de persona refugiada como aquella que: Se encuentra fuera de su país de origen/residencia habitual. No pueda o no quiera regresar a su país/avalarse de la protección de su país (elemento subjetivo: miedo de regresar). Debido a persecución o fundados...