Protection for persons moving across borders in the context of disasters: a guide to effective practices for RCM member countries

The purpose of this Guide to Effective Practices on Admission and Stay for Persons Moving across Borders in the Context of Disasters (hereinafter: Effective Practices Guide) is to share information on the use of humanitarian protection measures that Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) Member Countries, depending on their domestic laws, may apply on a temporary basis in response to the needs of disaster-affected foreigners.

The Effective Practices Guide was developed following the Regional Workshop on Temporary Protection Status and/or Humanitarian Visas in Situations of Disaster, approved by the RCM XIX Vice-Ministerial Meeting on 26-27 June 2014 and held in San José, Costa Rica on 10 – 11 February 2015. The workshop built on the second Nansen Initiative Regional Consultation on Disasters and Cross-Border Displacement in Central America: Emerging Needs, New Responses held on 2-4 December 2013 and drew upon best practice among RCM Member Countries, and other States in the Americas, identified through a study commissioned by the Nansen Initiative.

This Effective Practices Guide does not create a new set of State obligations, extend existing State obligations, or require that new laws be passed. Rather, it is intended to support the more effective and consistent use of existing law, policy and practice to ensure an appropriate response to the needs of cross-border disasterdisplaced persons and foreign migrants affected by disasters. In this way, it seeks to improve the overall humanitarian response to this complex challenge.