While the effect of humanitarian intervention on the recurrence and intensity of armed conflict in a crisis zone has received significant scholarly attention, there has been comparatively less work on the negative externalities of introducing peacekeeping forces into conflict regions. This article demonstrates that large foreign forces create one such externality, namely a previously non-existent demand for human trafficking. Using Kosovo, Haiti, and Sierra Leone as case studies, we suggest that the injection of comparatively wealthy soldiers incentivizes the creation of criminal networks by illicit actors. We theorize further that the magnitude of increase in trafficking should be directly proportional to the size of the foreign force, with larger forces producing larger increases. We find that both hypotheses hold with varying levels of confidence across our three case studies. Despite the benevolent intent of peacekeeping missions, the possibility that they may contribute to human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation runs counter to the spirit of such interventions. This is especially problematic given that trafficking rings, once established, may be adapted to provide weapons and narcotics, thereby planting the seed of further destabilization.

La investigación que se recoge en este estudio ha tenido como propósito fundamental producir información actualizada sobre la prevalencia, características e impacto del delito de trata de personas con fines de explotación laboral, así como sobre la respuesta normativa e institucional. Este estudio sistematiza e integra los principales hallazgos y resultados de la investigación. Analiza el marco institucional y el estado de la trata de personas y provee conclusiones y recomendaciones.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, IOM Mali has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs of Mali (MHSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen prevention and intervention against COVID-19 in Mali. Based on IOM’s similar experience during the EVD crisis, the same model at the border points and “sanitary cordons” is being evaluated to assist the Malian Government in this current pandemic. IOM is also coordinating its COVID-19 response with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and the United Nations Country Team for Security and Health. Through a reallocation of existing funds and reprograming of ongoing activities, IOM Mali has ensured rapid contribution to national COVID-19 responses. As such, a rapid assessment to evaluate the needs and response capacities to COVID-19 at 13 border crossing points, six internal transit points, 16 sanitary cordons throughout Mali has been put in place and continues to be evaluated weekly. IOM is also conducting training of border agents in the Southern part of Mali on COVID-19 prevention and protection measures. Moreover, IOM continues to carry out awareness raising activities towards IDPs and migrants in Mali regarding COVID-19 preventive measures as well as to provide sanitary and hygiene kits. IOM Mali has additionally enhanced its assisted voluntary programme to respond to the needs of stranded migrants who are unable to return to their country of origins. To effectively support the Government of Mali in its response to and recovery from this pandemic, it is crucial that dedicated COVID-19 response and recovery programmes are put in place to capitalize on efforts to fight this pandemic

In line with IOM’s Health, Border & Mobility Management Approach, and with an appreciation that in times of crisis migrants and displaced persons constitute one of the most vulnerable population groups, IOM plans, between May to December 2020, to implement a range of activities to further support the Government of Cameroon in its response to and recovery from COVID-19. This will be based on 7 of the 12 twelve pillars included in IOM’s global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, namely: Coordination and Partnerships, Tracking Mobility Impacts, Risk Communication and Community engagement, Point of Entry (PoE), Infection Prevention and Control, Camp Coordination and Camp Management, and Protection. Through its existing programming, IOM Cameroon has adapted its activities to rapidly contribute to the national COVID19 response, and now seeks additional support to leverage its vast operational presence for continued support to COVID19 response in-country. IOM’s wide presence of staff in Cameroon, wide network of local partners, existing migration health service programme, strong infrastructure in mobility tracking, and programmatic flexibility will ensure the Organization is able to rapidly assist those most in need.

The IOM Nigeria COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan outlines the main areas of intervention across pillars of COVID-19 response to continue to support the Government of Nigeria as well as humanitarian and development partners. The below total budget is an indicative requirement for IOM Nigeria’s planned interventions and is bound to evolve, given the evolving nature of the pandemic and the national priorities.

The life of a migrant can be saturated with risk. Often working in dangerous, low-paying, or unstable jobs with limited access to social and government support in their host countries, migrants are vulnerable to health risks, job loss, abuse, and a host of other concerns. At the same time, they are often called upon to support their families when needs arise at home, a role that can make their situations even more tenuous by reducing their ability to set money aside for unexpected needs. These “everyday” risks leave migrants particularly vulnerable to crisis events—conflicts or natural disasters affecting the country in which they live. This brief explores the extent to which insurance may play a useful role in mitigating migrants’ risks before, during, or after a crisis event. Insurance can offer coverage for specific crisis-event related needs such as property damage or the cost of evacuation. Alternatively, insurance can support migrants’ broader risk management needs such as health care, death, disability, or unemployment. When benefits are accessed before a crisis, insurance coverage may boost migrants’ resilience in the face of crisis events. Insurance that addresses these general needs may advance the objective of protecting migrants caught in countries experiencing crises. Insurance can also offer great value during or immediately after a crisis event, but only to the extent the logistical challenges of delivering benefits at these difficult moments are sufficiently addressed.

The following pages analyse the roles and best practices, which different stakeholders can adopt in disaster and crisis management, with regard to supporting migrants coping with crises. The paper starts with the discussion of the key concepts of vulnerability and resilience in order to set a frame for stakeholder involvement. Resorting to stakeholder theory, it defines migrants as “dormant stakeholders” in crisis and disaster management, which need to be involved into crisis management in order to make use of their capabilities. Analysing the main challenges of the involvement of migrants, it defines main areas of stakeholder involvement in the different phases of a crisis. Based on examples from the dialogue meetings within the MICIC framework, it further outlines key areas of action and develops suggestions for improving stakeholder inclusion into crisis and disaster management and mitigation.

This report presents the comparative findings of research spanning two years on migrants caught in situations of crisis in a destination country. The research focused on the longer-term socio-economic impacts of these crises on migrants, on their families and on the countries affected by the crisis. It was conducted by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the University of Oxford’s International Migration Institute (IMI) and local research partners in the fieldwork countries, in the context of the larger European Union (EU)-funded project “Migrants in Countries in Crisis: Supporting an Evidence-based Approach for Effective and Cooperative State Action” (MICIC).That EU-funded project aims to improve the capacity of states and other stakeholders to assist and provide protection to migrants who find themselves in countries affected by crisis – through in-depth research, consultations with government and other relevant stakeholders and capacity building. With this three-pronged approach, the project contributes to the global MICIC Initiative, a government-led process co-chaired by the governments of the Philippines and the United States. Based on the inputs of states, civil society, international organisations and private sector stakeholders on both the project and the initiative, the MICIC Initiative released its “Guidelines to Protect Migrants in Countries Experiencing Conflict or Natural Disaster”, to help states and other stakeholders respond to the needs of migrants caught in crisis situations. The empirical research described in this report confirms many of the issues raised and policy priorities recommended in these guidelines.

While some of the forms of exploitation covered by this research are specific to countries directly involved in conflict child soldiering and organ trafficking to treat wounded fighters the remaining types of trafficking in human beings have many points in common in conflict and post conflict periods. Recruitment methods, psychological control techniques and the forms of exploitation do not depend on particular geographic zones.

Although there is consensus among different actors regarding the seriousness and significance of re-trafficking as a problem, there has been very little research conducted into its incidence, cause or consequence. This research paper, funded by United States Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking (G/TIP), aims to address this gap through an exploratory analysis of known re-trafficking cases in the Human Trafficking Database of the International Organization for Migration. It is a rare look at the issue of re-trafficking, drawing upon a regional sample of 79 known cases of re-trafficking in the database. The report examines a number of factors a means to better understand and tackle the issue of re-trafficking. These include the individual characteristics of (re-)trafficking victims, their experiences during and post-exit from trafficking, issues on return to their country of origin, and assistance and reintegration needs. The report findings reveal that many existing reintegration programmes for victims of trafficking are not effectively tackling the economic realities faced by victims post-rescue. Assistance options should be better tailored to address the complex needs of trafficked persons if re-trafficking is to be avoided. The report offers a number of recommendations, concluding that only by finding sustainable ways to challenge the wider economic inequalities, both global and local, can counter-trafficking efforts be truly effective.