Vulnerable Migrants

Mesoamerica and the Caribbean are part of the principal migration corridors in the world.

Many of the migrants who traverse these sub-regions have irregular statuses and are frequently in highly vulnerable conditions. This vulnerability, along with increased levels of insecurity and violence in these sub-regions, places migrants at a high risk of being exploited, abused, kidnapped, smuggled being exploited, abused, kidnapped, smuggled and trafficked.

In this context, the international community has increasingly recognized the need to do more to promote the human rights of migrants. In this sense, IOM’s de facto migrant protection mandate was recognized by its Member States in 2007.

That is why, to effectively contribute to protecting and assisting migrants, IOM’s strategy in the region will focus on strengthening local and institutional capacities to create and consolidate schemes for the protection of migrants at the national level.

In particular, IOM will build upon governments’ growing interest in the protection of and assistance to victims of human trafficking, unaccompanied children, internally displaced persons, and migrants who have been victims of crimes and abuses. IOM will continue prioritizing capacity- building actions, awareness- raising campaigns, and the promotion of public policies that address human trafficking and the protection of and assistance to vulnerable migrants.