Nicaragua 
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Overview Migration ActivitiesNicaragua has a population of 5.8 million. Currently, the country poverty levels remain still high, in spite of the advancements of recent years. Nicaragua ranks second only to Haiti within the region. The 2008 National Human Development Plan identified high youth unemployment rates and the lack of decent work opportunities as the main reasons for Nicaraguan migration in the last decades. Nicaragua remains a country of origin in the region. Costa Rica, the United States, El Salvador, Panama, Guatemala, Spain, Mexico and Canada are the main destination countries for the 12 per cent of the population that has emigrated. In addition, indigenous internal and regional migration is a common thread, particularly in the aftermath of disasters, but also due to lack of job opportunities and services in the Caribbean coast. Improved access to credit, employment creation, and social protection, with an emphasis on gender and indigenous issues, are the main focus of the current government. A new migration law is being discussed in Parliament to reflect the current migration management reality and strengthen the protection of Nicaraguans abroad. Female migration has increased, having an important impact on social structures of remaining family members and on the migrants' psyche. In the migration flows between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, women represent about 50 per cent of migrants, working mainly in domestic services and agriculture. A migration regularization project from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for undocumented migrants living in Costa Rica started in 2010. Migration Health  Donors
Migrant Sexual and Reproductive Health and Gender Violence prevention. In 2009 IOM signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in order to implement a number of regional activities. The annual work plan in 2009 focused on HIV-AIDS and STDs research on migrant populations in Central America (cost-benefit analysis to invest in migrant health, mapping of migrant health projects/activities) as well as a regional seminar in El Salvador. In 2010 activities concentrated on mainstreaming sexual and reproductive health and gender violence prevention among organizations with migration management responsibilities, as well as contributing to the Ibero-American Forum in San Salvador. Activities in 2011 will focus on creating new partnerships and seeking further funding in order to increase available information and medical attention for migrants. Pandemic Preparedness among Migrant Populations in Latin America (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama).). Several activities have been developed in Nicaragua in the context of this regional project managed by IOM San Jose: documental investigation of the country's response to the Pandemic flu, meetings with key partners, and seminars with local authorities and migration and medical staff. Projects
Migration and Development DonorsLabour migration flows from Nicaragua to Costa Rica represent one of the most important south-south flows in the region. Nicaraguans cross the border (often irregularly) in order to seek work in the neighboring country mainly in construction, agriculture, security and domestic services. Estimates for 2010 show that Nicaraguan migrants represent more than two thirds of the foreign population residing in the country (Source: Nicaraguan Embassy in Costa Rica). IOM Managua's activities aim at fostering the link between migration and development by working in coordination with government institutions in the field of national public policies on Labour Migration, Migration, Diaspora and Remittances. Co-Development Project between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. This bi-national project aims at improving the impact and contribution of labour migration movements to the development process of both countries and improving social conditions in areas with large migrant populations and migrant-sending locations. The project seeks to regulate labour flows of Nicaraguan workers to Costa Rica, promote the integration of migrants in the labour market, improve the psychosocial state of migrants and their families as well as enhance their social integration. In 2010 project activities in the field of migration management focused on infrastructure improvements of the Nicaraguan Consulate in Costa Rica and the Migration Directorate. IOM Managua also implemented a gender-sensitive information campaign for labour migrants on visa and residence regulations, trafficking prevention and labour exploitation as well as migration authorities and migrant supporting institutions. The Ministries of Labour, Foreign Affairs and Directorates of Migration of both countries are among the main counterparts. The project is financed by the Spanish Cooperation Agency (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo, AECID). As part of this project, a financial education programme initiated at the end of 2010 aimed at raising remittances recipients' awareness on the importance of budgeting, saving and potentially using credit or insurance products to improve their financial situation and become financially independent, will be continued. Various conferences and trainings on the topic are being given in 2011 jointly with the Inter American Dialogue. Activities focused on creating alliances with financial institutions, such as BANPRO, in order to improve remittances recipients' access to the formal financial system. Activities focused on creating alliances with financial institutions, such as BANPRO, to improve the access of recipients of remittances to the formal financial system. The financial education for recipients of remittances might be expanded to the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua, coupled with a research component on remittances flows to that region, with the support of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ford Foundation.
Remittances Bancarization, Financial Democratization and Innovative Investment Opportunities in Rural Nicaragua and Costa Rica: Comparing South-to-South and North-to-South Flows. This innovative initiative involved financial institutions, the private sector, universities and international organizations in order to identify investment opportunities related to remittances. The project compared south-south remittances flows from Costa Rica to Nicaragua and north-south remittances from the United States to Costa Rica. In addition, innovative Nicaraguan micro entrepreneurs mainly from rural areas - 10 in Nicaragua and 35 in Costa Rica - will be selected, and technical and financial assistance will be provided to support their initiatives. Main counterparts are the National Bank of Costa Rica, the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN), microfinance institutions and civil society organizations. The project is financed by the Spanish Cooperation Agency (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo, AECID), and the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) from IDB. Regional Dialogue Series on Migration and Development. A series of videoconferences were organized in 2008 and 2009. Through this initiative IOM sought to deepen the understanding of the link between migration and development by creating a platform to exchange experiences and actual developments in migration processes, as well as to share results from the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), and improve cooperation between countries of the region. Member countries of the Regional Conference on Migration, IOM Missions, Governmental, private sector and civil society stakeholders working on migration and development, participated in these series of events. The World Bank, the Global Learning Development Network (GLDN), Occupational Training and Labor Integration (FOIL, in Spanish) and the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID) supported the organization of these videoconferences. Additionally, in December 2010 another regional videoconference was organized on the occasion of International Migrants Day (18th December), to share the recommendations and results of the fourth GFMD which took place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in November of that same year. Projects
Labour Migration Donors
New labour migration schemes, such as temporary labour migration programmes, are being promoted to better match offers and demand. Enhancing the respect for the human rights of migrants and their families by preventing discrimination and showing the contribution of migrants to the economic, social and cultural development is the main focus. Furthermore, activities are being discussed to improve the links with the Nicaraguan Diaspora, designing policies and strategies to attract migrants back to the country, or to establish linkages with the country's development. Intra-Regional Labour Migration Flows: Present Situation, Challenges and Opportunities. Coordinated jointly by IOM and International Labour Organization (ILO) in Costa Rica, this regional study is based on surveys and focus group sessions with more than 300 migrants and their relatives. In addition, interviews are made to key informants and migration experts in order to recollect the necessary information to formulate policy-oriented recommendations for decision-makers, at both national and regional levels (Central American Integration System - SICA). At the same time, the study represents an opportunity to strengthen the migration component into the Labour Market Observatory in Nicaragua, as the main national partner. Improving Labour Market Information Systems (LMIS). This European Union funded project will strengthen the capacities of the six target countries involved - Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia - to collect and share labour migration data and feed it into the LMIS and labour migration policy via mutual learning and exchange of best practices. In 2011 a comparative study between the six countries' best practices will be finalized. In Nicaragua this study will be carried out with the Ministry of Labour as the main project partner but will involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Statistics Office, Directorate of Migration, Central Bank and relevant UN Agencies in an effort to harmonize data collection and sharing procedures. Three international workshops are planned within the framework of this project (one in Colombia in June 2011), leaving national trainings and the implementation of pilot initiatives in each individual country for 2012. Projects
Regulating Migration DonorIOM Managua aims at improving migration management through comprehensive policies, modern legislation, and effective migration systems, in order to achieve a balance between security and control requirements, human rights and organized migration flows that contribute to development. On a regional level, IOM Nicaragua supports the countries' participation in migration dialogue and integration processes, such as the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) or the Central American Commission of Migration Directors (OCAM, in Spanish). Supporting Regional Integration through Improved Migration Management in Central America. This European Union-funded project focuses on the collection and exchange of information and data in order to strengthen Migration Directorates Capacity and thus promote free mobility (following the example of the European Union) and cooperation between the countries of origin, transit and destination. Concrete actions will be taken on the coordination and regulation of the framework for mobility of persons among CA-4 countries (Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua) as well as on capacity building of the involved institutions. In addition, improvements of infrastructure, technology and equipment are being promoted. Counterparts include the Ministry of Governance, the Migration Directorate, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A regional workshop on migration management (Visa Unica Centroamericana, procedures manuals) will take place in Managua in May 2011. Projects
Counter-Trafficking DonorCounter-Trafficking and Vulnerable Migrants. Fighting human trafficking (sexual and labour exploitation), particularly of women and children, but also men, represents a key issue on the national agenda. Projects respond to the current situation of high emigration rates, especially of vulnerable groups such as women and adolescents in the informal sector who are at a higher risk of falling victim to human traffickers. Gender violence also plays an important role, as it is a cause for female migration. Victims of gender violence more frequently fall prey to human traffickers and suffer sexual exploitation. The main focus is on prevention and victims' assistance and reintegration, but IOM also collaborates with the National Coalition of Trafficking to prosecute traffickers. Improving the Capacity to Reintegrate Trafficked Persons in Central America. Best practices and lessons learned for the reintegration of victims of trafficking back into their communities of origin have been systematized. Socio-economic reintegration activities among victims are being carried out in Chinandega, border department to Honduras, in cooperation with local partners. Activities include victim assistance which combines psychological (individual and group therapies, work with the victims' families) and medical support with capacity building and vocational training in order to guarantee their economic self-sufficiency and that of their families. In 2010 (Phase 3) IOM's local office moved to the National Female Police premises. In addition to continuing with direct assistance and advocacy with local authorities, the third phase of this project also focuses on promoting a more active participation of community-based organizations and the private sector in order to strengthen the local service network that will act as a frontline of defense for victims of trafficking. It will improve the capacity of local agents to intervene from the moment the victims are identified and carry out medium- and long-term assistance. IOM also collaborates with the Anti-Trafficking National Coalition to strengthen the ability of all institutions involved to facilitate victims' access to justice in Nicaragua. Capacity building activities among officials from the Ministry of Family are being carried out and focus on psychosocial assistance to victims of trafficking and on how to operate the “133 emergency line”, a phone hotline established to assist victims and report trafficking cases. In July 2010 the Strategy for the Economic Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking in Central America was presented in the Chamber of Commerce Chinandega. This pilot initiative was put together based on best practices and in coordination with the various partners involved. The activity was coordinated with the Chinandega City Hall, UNIRSE (the Nicaraguan Corporate Social Responsibility Union) and the Chamber of Commerce of Chinandega (CCCH), and was supported and chaired by the Ministry of Interior through the National Coalition to Combat Trafficking. On November 2010, the Strategy for the Economic Reintegration to Vulnerable Migration Population was presented in a tri-national workshop - Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. Regional Project on Unaccompanied Minors and Trafficking. In August 2010 the First Forum on Migration and Children took place, as a result of a strategic alliance between organizations currently active in the field of migration, and specifically focused on working with children and adolescents, such as Save The Children, The Nicaraguan Civil Society Network for Migration, the Ministry of the Interior and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the Mexican Childhood Protection Officials (OPI in Spanish). The aim was to present the main results of the study "The Situation of Unaccompanied Migrant Children in Central America - the Case of Nicaragua”, and to share information on the implementation of other initiatives aimed at protection the human rights of migrant children in the region. The Forum was inaugurated by IOM's Regional Representative. Online Course on Human Trafficking. From March to June 2010, IOM Nicaragua carried out the First Online Course on Human Trafficking which aimed at promoting reflection and raising awareness on the problems associated with human trafficking, analyzing the reality of human trafficking in Nicaragua and in the world and the existing social and institutional responses, and finally developing basic tools for the prevention and timely and efficient detection of human trafficking. This first course lasted 15 weeks and was followed by 16 officials of various institutions such as Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Supreme Court of Justice, the National Police, the Central American University, the Movement for Self Development, Exchange and Solidarity (MAIS), Save The Children, Quincho Barrilete Association, the Movement of Nicaraguan Women "Luisa Amanda Espinoza" (AMNLAE), the AMISTAD Association of Managua, the Casa Materna "Mery Barreda" Association, and the Judicial School, among others. Regional Programme to Strengthen Capacities to Protect and Assist Vulnerable Migrants in Mesoamerica (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama). This regional programme aims to enhance capacities of Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) Member States and civil society partners in Mesoamerica to protect and assist migrants, especially unaccompanied children, victims of trafficking, and others vulnerable to human rights abuses along the migration route. The activities will support the existing efforts of the RCM as well as promote collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on protection and assistance within mixed migration flows, including the joint implementation of activities. This regional programme will support stakeholders in providing direct assistance to vulnerable migrants, voluntarily returning them, and reintegrating them in their communities of origin. Furthermore, IOM will strengthen capacities by providing technical cooperation to States and their NGO partners in the design and implementation of public policies that facilitate the protection and assistance of vulnerable migrants. Finally, the programme will promote dialogue, cooperation, and sharing of good practices at the local, national, regional, and inter-regional level. In the context of human trafficking, human rights violations, violence by smugglers and traffickers, kidnapping, labour and sexual exploitation, and discrimination, different groups of migrants and potential migrants have specific protection and assistance needs. For the purpose of this programme, these vulnerable groups, which require particular attention and protection considerations include: unaccompanied or separated children, victims of trafficking, victims of violence and/or human rights violations, women, asylum seekers and extra-continental migrants. The Project started in October 2010 and will be carried out for 12 months. Counter-trafficking Training for Migration Authorities. In the framework of the Regional Conference on Migration, Nicaragua participates in counter-trafficking trainings for Central American migration authorities. The Government of the United States (US Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration) is the donor of the project. Projects
Assisted Voluntary Return of Migrants Donor
As an ongoing activity, IOM Nicaragua supports the return of highly vulnerable Nicaraguan migrants from Central America and Mexico in the framework of the Regional Conference on Migration. It also works on specific programs for unaccompanied children to improve reception, orientation and reintegration. Emergency phone lines have been built up in each country for attention of migrant children. Projects
Technical Cooperation on Migration Management and Capacity Building DonorImprovement of Security Features of Those Premises of the Directorate of Migration Where Travel Documents are Issued. The Migration Office improved its capacity to respond to travel documentation needs of its citizens in 2009, thanks to this project. A security and monitoring system was established to secure the processing of travel and identity documents. In 2010 the documents archives will be modernized, so as to maximize space and organize files search. Strengthen Capacity and Efficiency of the Directorate of Migration by Modernizing the Archive System and Handling of Files. The project achieved its objective of strengthening the principles of transparency, anti-corruption, security, and the internal control norms of the Directorate of Migration thanks to a mobile archive system with filing capacity for 1,617 square metres. Specialized training was also provided to maximize the use and care of this state-of-the art system. Projects
Emergencies Donor
Humanitarian assistance to Hurricane Ida affected communities of the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida which struck in November 2009, continuous rain caused flooding, overflowing rivers and damaging houses, infrastructure and particularly agriculture. To respond to this situation, the UNETE applied for the Central Emergency Fund, which included the provision of food, clean water, hygiene kits, medicines and means to recover livelihoods (fishing equipment). IOM provided non-food items such as water containers and personal hygiene kits. Projects
Human Rights Donor
The Human Rights of Migrants is a key element of any migration policy and legislation. At the operational level, specialized training on the international human rights of migrants needs to be included in the curriculum of migration officials and police. IOM Managua has provided training to Government officials, NGOs and UN Agencies, and presented in the National Forum on Human Rights of Migrants organized by the Jesuit Service (2009 and 2010). In addition, local communities and the public in general benefit from open discussions around the subject. The migration documentaries exhibition “Mirando al Sur” (Looking to the South) was presented in cinemas in Managua and universities and brought to several communities on the Caribbean coast, in coordination with the Spanish Embassy and its Hispanic Culture Institute. At the beginning of 2011 IOM Nicaragua produced a play on the risks of irregular south-north migration, which was presented in the new Spanish Cultural Centre (CCEN) and in the Rodrigo Mena Theatre (Leon). The play may be presented again during the year with additional funding sources. Projects
Migration Policy and Research Research Donor
Household surveys and the collection of other relevant data in Nicaragua remain pending tasks. A key issue is therefore to support Government agencies, including the National Institute of Information on Development (INIDE), to define the country's goals concerning internal and international migration and to contribute to an updated migration policy in Nicaragua. A bi-national study between Costa Rica and Nicaragua on female migration was conducted in 2008. The research analyzed the socio-economic impact of migration on Nicaraguan female immigrants in Costa Rica and remaining families in Nicaragua. The study was published at the end of the year. In addition, a research on the migration of unaccompanied minors was conducted in 2009. Nicaragua's Migration Profile. In this context, IOM Nicaragua is currently preparing its Migration Profile to promote discussion about migration policy, coherence and coordination between ministries and other stakeholders. Remittance flows to the Caribbean Coast. In 2011 research on remittance flows to the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua will be carried out in coordination with UNDP and the Inter-American Dialogue. Projects
Communication and Visibility Tools IOM Managua aims at achieving higher levels of information dissemination. The mission has been developing different communication tools in relation to IOM's 60th anniversary campaign - these are available online at:
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More Facts and FiguresIOM Nicaragua
Organización Internacional para
las Migraciones (OIM)
Ofiplaza El Retiro, Edificio 5, Suite 522
Apartado Postal 3477
Managua, Nicaragua
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Featured Project
Improving the Contribution of Migration to the Development of Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Counter-Trafficking Newsletter
- Por Una Migración Segura, March-April 2009 | ES
Partners
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
- International Organization (ILO)
- Global Development Learning Network (GDLN)
- University of Central America (UCA)
- National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN)
- Jesuit Migration Service (SJM)
- Embassy of Spain, and Hispanic Culture Institute
