News

Digitalization of Migration Records Leads to Detection of Fraud
The Deputy Director of Nicaragua's
Migration and Alien Affairs, Nidia Barboza, reported that a series
of irregularities were recently detected in migration procedures,
mainly during passport issuance or in the issuance of travel

Australian and Bangladeshi Governments Extend Border Management Project
A 2-year Australian-funded IOM project
designed to build the capacity of Bangladesh's immigration service
to combat irregular migration and human trafficking is to be
extended by 18 months.

Joining Forces to Combat Human Trafficking
Cooperation agreements have been signed
recently between IOM and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the National Institute of the Child and the Family and the
National Police and the Specialized Department for Children and

Migration and Development Conference
A two-day conference to promote better
cooperation and synergies between migration and development actors
will take place on 15-16 March in the Belgian capital,
Brussels.

IOM Assists Return of Indonesian Trafficking Victims
IOM has begun to help return dozens of
female trafficking victims who sought refuge in the nation's
consulate in Penang, Malaysia and who want to go home.

Japan Contributes $8.6 million to IOM's Aceh Peace Efforts
In a significant step towards the
consolidation of peace, security and community stabilization in one
of Asia's oldest trouble-spots, the Japanese government yesterday
contributed one billion yen (US$8.6 million) to IOM's programmes

IOM Launches Eye Care Programme in Earthquake Area
From next Monday, 6 March, IOM will begin
to provide medical eye care for earthquake survivors living in the
large tent camps around Muzaffarabad, the capital of
Pakistan-Administered Kashmir.

Former Soldiers Get New Start as Farmers
IOM's Disarmament, Demobilization and
Reintegration (DDR) programme in Afghanistan has started to provide
direct agricultural help including seeds and fertilizers to more
than 500 former soldiers in the north of the country.

IOM Backs Counter-Trafficking Hotline
IOM and the Vietnam Women's Union have set
up a telephone hotline covering Kien Giang and three other border
provinces to warn potential labour migrants about human trafficking
along the Cambodian border.

Work Continues to Handle Cholera Outbreak
A multi-agency operation to contain an
outbreak of cholera and acute watery diarrhoea which have killed at
least 89 people in the Juba and Yei areas of southern Sudan, is
ongoing.

Migration and Refugee Studies Course
A three-day course for government officials
from various Iranian ministries and bureaux on improving travel
documentation will end today in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Compiling Migration Data in Mesoamerica
To continue compiling reliable data on
migration trends in Mesoamerica, IOM's Regional Office in San
José has received financial support from the Mexican
government through its National Migration Institute.