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IOM Damascus holds a workshop to raise awareness on counter-trafficking

Damascus (11-12 September 2005)- On 11 and 12 September, the Ministry of Interior of the Syrian Arab Republic and IOM co-hosted a workshop to raise awareness on counter-trafficking, one of the first of its kind in the Arab world.

The University of Damascus and John Hopkins University's Protection Project also contributed to the workshop which was attended by a number of Ministries along with representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps accredited in Syria.

Although trafficking in persons is not considered to be a major problem in Syria, the Government is taking steps to address the issue in line with international law and best practices. A committee incorporating several Ministries and the University of Damascus has been established to draft legislation specifically addressing trafficking in persons.

The two day workshop, held in Damascus, covered international and national law, best practices in victim protection, and information collection and investigation techniques.

In his opening statement, Deputy Minister of Interior Major General Ibrahim Mousalli said that Syria is committed to implementing the relevant International Conventions and Protocols related to Organized Crime and Combating Trafficking in Persons. Syria has also signed bilateral agreements with many countries to combat this crime. He added that the hosting of the workshop reflects Syria's interest in working with IOM to develop its capacity in combating trafficking in persons.

IOM is already actively addressing human trafficking in the region with programs in Turkey and Yemen.

IOM signs two agreements with the Syrian Sate Planning Commission for the implantation of two projects today

Damascus (16 June, 2005 )- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Damascus signed today agreements for the implantation of two projects in the Syrian State Planning Commission. The signing ceremony for two IOM Project Documents took place, at the Syrian State Planning Commission by Mr. Bassam Al SIBAIE, Deputy Head of the Sate Planning Commission (SPC) Mrs. Maria RUMMAN, Chief of Mission of IOM Damascus, Ms. Juliana STEFAN, Regional Representative in MRF (IOM) Cairo and colleagues from SPC and IOM.

The First Project entitled Capacity Building Project for Government Senior Managers aiming to strengthen the capacity of the Syrian Government to face its migration challenges by training five Government Senior Managers, form Ministries involved in Migration issues (State Planning commission, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Expatriate and Ministry of Social and labor affairs), in MRF Cairo for a period of two months (from 15 September 2005 to 15 November 2005). The selected Government Officials will participate in an interactive and collaborative teamwork, they will receive formal and on- the-job training in priority migration-related topics of interest for Syria, including migration English-language, IT skills, Internet research and project development aimed to enhance the Syrian Government ability to implement its national work plan in the field of migration.

The Second Project Assisted Voluntary RETURN OF IRREGULAR MIGRANTS STRANDED IN SYRIA will contribute to establishing, in collaboration with the Government of Syria, a humane framework for the voluntary and orderly return of stranded irregular migrants and rejected asylum seekers from Syria to their countries of origin. The project stems from a request by the Government of Syria to assist in an effective and humane manner the caseload of irregular migrants stranded in Syria. In turn, this will lessen the burden that the presence of stranded migrants poses for countries of transit and destination.The project will enable some 100 irregular migrants to return to their countries of origin, by providing pre-departure counselling, pre-embarkation medical screening, transportation to their countries of origin and reception and further services as necessary and where possible.

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding on Darfur

SUDAN (24 August, 2004)- IOM Director General Brunson McKinley and the Sudanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail concluded on Saturday, 21 August, a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the voluntary return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). UN Deputy Special Representative Manuel Aranda da Silva signed the MOU for the United Nations.The agreement constitutes an important step in the implementation of the Darfur Plan of Action signed between Sudan's Foreign Minister and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Sudan, Mr. Jan Pronk, on 5 August.The agreement sets up a Management and Coordination Mechanism with representatives of IOM, the Sudanese Government and international partners to plan and execute returns.Under the terms of the MOU, IOM agrees to oversee and assist with returns of IDPs to their homes. IOM will guarantee that returns are voluntary and in accordance with international principles and will coordinate assistance to the communities affected by displacement, including rebuilding infrastructure and reintegrating the displaced.For its part, the Government of Sudan confirms its policy of no involuntary returns and commits itself to establishing the necessary security and humanitarian conditions for the phased return of IDPs in a safe, dignified and efficient manner. It also agrees to provide IOM and implementing partners full access to IDPs and to communities to which they are returning, and to give adequate advance notice of any IDPs who have expressed their willingness to return to their area of origin.The Government of Sudan and IOM reiterate the importance of urgently reaching a durable and peaceful solution in Darfur.

Spokesperson: Jean-Philippe Chauzy

IOM Director General Brunson McKinley during a recent visit to a camp for Internally Displaced Persons in the Darfur Region of Sudan

IRAQ (9 June, 2004) - IOM Supports Medical Evacuation to Syria - As part of IOM's Medical Evacuation and Health Rehabilitation Programme in Iraq (MEHRPI), IOM staff has organized the medical evacuation of 5 patients (three children and two young women) from Baghdad, Basra, Karbala and Diyala to Damascus for treatment unavailable in Iraq. On arrival, the patients will receive free treatment including orthopaedic corrective surgery, reconstruction surgery and neurological treatment. To date, 931 cases have been referred to MEHRPI by hospitals throughout Iraq. Some 460 persons have been identified as eligible for evacuation by the programme's international medical selection team. Of 255 patients evacuated to 17 countries since May 2003, 196 have already returned to Iraq, following successful treatment. The majority of patients received treatment in cardio surgery, oncology and orthopaedic surgery. MEHRPI, which is supported by core funding from ECHO, France and the State of Kuwait, combines selective medical evacuations with assistance in helping to re-build Iraq's dilapidated specialist health care system. It matches patients who cannot be treated inside Iraq with free hospital beds and treatment offered by foreign donor countries. Under MEHRPI, IOM identifies host hospitals, arranges travel documentation and transport for patients and at least one family member. It also monitors treatment, provides feedback to families and, when the treatment is complete, coordinates transport back to Iraq. The ongoing crisis in Iraq has resulted in further disruption of an already fragile health care service. Many hospitals and health care services are still working under capacity and are overwhelmed with patients, particularly those specializing in cardio surgery, oncology, orthopaedics, haematology, ophthalmology and serious burns. As part of the programme, IOM has completed the reconstruction of the burns unit in Basra General Hospital and has provided training to Iraqi physicians and nurses. IOM's MEHRPI programme is currently being handed over to the Ministry of Health in Baghdad. However, IOM and its partners will continue to provide assistance to the Iraqi Ministry of Health.

After half a century of worldwide operational experience, IOM has become the leading international organization working with migrants and governments to provide humane responses to migrations challenges. Established in 1951 as an intergovernmental organization to resettle European displaced persons, refugees and migrants, IOM has now grown to encompass a variety of migration management activities throughout the world.

Effectively established in January 2001, IOM Damascus provides services in a number of transportation and other migration-related areas. Over 9000 persons have received IOM assistance in the first two and half years of operation through regular family reunification and resettlement projects, as well as emergency repatriation programs.

To date, eight Arab governments have become members of the Organization: Egypt, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen. Libya and Somalia maintain observer status.

IOM opened its first offices in the region in 1991, in Cairo, Amman, and Riyadh. In 1998, the Cairo office was entrusted with regional functions. In 2001, two new offices were opened one in Damascus and one in Tunis and negotiations are ongoing for the opening of an office in Beirut.

IOM signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation and Co-ordination with the League of Arab States in December 2000, and a Cooperation Agreement with the Organization of the Islamic Conference in January 2003.

IOM Damascus plan of action proposes to assist the Syrian Government in achieving its objectives in the field of migration through:

· Assistance in dealing with the orderly movement and management of migrant population through capacity building and technical cooperation.

· Contributing to the government capacity to reach out for expatriates communities’ abroad and their resources potential.

· Further advancing research and data collection about migration flows, migration causes and consequences.

· Contributing to raising awareness of migrant’s rights, illegal migration, smuggling and trafficking issues.