Integrating migrants in emergency preparedness, response and recovery in their host countries – A training course for emergency responders

Disasters can disproportionately affect migrants living, working, studying, traveling, or transiting in the affected country. While migrants are most often resilient and resourceful, they also face a variety of factors, such as language barriers, unsafe working conditions, limited access to information resources and opportunities, whcih put them at risk in the face of hazards.

By integrating and engaging migrants in their work, emergency management actors can play an important role in addressing these factors, improving the effectiveness of their efforts.

IOM’s training course on “Integrating migrants in emergency preparedness, response and recovery in their host countries” targets the personnel of emergency management institutions and first responders to strengthen their capacity to reach out to, assist and protect migrants before, during and after crises.

The course provides basic information and tools to improve the capacity of relevant personnel to:

• Understand migrants’ specific vulnerability and needs in the face of different kinds of emergencies; and
• Provide information and practical guidance on measures to reduce migrants’ vulnerability through improved communication, delivery of appropriate relief services, active engagement of migrants, and evaluations and learning.

Target audience

The training course targets the personnel of State and non-State agencies dealing directly with emergency management, in particular technical staff of emergency and disaster risk management and civil protection institutions who work at the national and subnational levels.

Structure

8 thematic sessions, built around participatory methodologies, that include case studies and best practices, background materials and practical tools (e.g. templates, infographics). Course can be organized as training or training of trainers.

Duration

2 days, 3 days or 5 days, depending on curriculum and target audience.

Access

The training package is available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. The training reference manual can be freely downloaded but other materials are available by contacting IOM’s MICIC team.

National adaptation

IOM encourages the further translation and adaptation of the course materials to reflect the operational reality and priorities of its partners. To this end, IOM shares the source materials with governmental counterparts, free of charge, and supports their adaptation through targeted research and technical assistance, upon request.