ACTIVITY REPORT. Central African Republic. December 2013 March Contact Details: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Transcription

1 ACTIVITY REPORT Central African Republic December 2013 March 2014 Contact Details: Giuseppe Loprete International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission Sica I, Bonga-Bonga Ex-Studio JOWICE Bangui, Central African Republic

2 ACTIVITY REPORT Central African Republic 1. The IOM CAR mission The CAR became a Member State of IOM in IOM has been active in CAR since September 2013 and officially established its presence there as of 21 January In line with humanitarian and transition / recovery needs identified jointly between the United Nations and the Government, the IOM mission s programming during the period of December 2013 March 2014 focused on: Humanitarian assistance to stranded migrants Coordination of Camp Coordination Camp Management (CCCM) activities as CCCM co-lead, including displacement tracking and data analysis Site facilitation including Transit Centre management in Bangui Emergency healthcare and referral services in Bangui sites with no health service provision in place Psychosocial support and referral pathways Community stabilization, social cohesion activities beginning in the 3rd arrondissement Support to peacebuilding communication outreach and community engagement IOM currently operates from one head office in Bangui, with frequent visits to the field. IOM CAR works in close collaboration with UN partners (most notably: OCHA, UNHRC, WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO and UNDP, WHO), as well as NGOs (most notably: Mercy Corps, DRC, Premiere Urgence - AMI, MSF-H, Emergency Int., ACF, Oxfam GB, IRC, AFPE, AIDE, Ideal, JUPEDEC, REMOD), as well as the Red Cross and Crescent Movement. The office is organized as follows: Chief of Mission Security Resource Management Stability and Transition Emergency Response Human Resource Social Cohesion CCCM Health Assistance Displacement Tracking Matrix Admin/Finance Psychosocial Assistance Operations Assistants Medical Team Data Entry Information Technology Cash for Work Team Site Facilitators Procurement and Logistics page 1 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION

3 December 2013 March Humanitarian Assistance As lead agency for migration and migration-related challenges, IOM s principle focus is to ensure the safe and dignified provision of assistance to migrants caught in the ongoing crisis. The deterioration of the security situation after 5 December 2013 necessitated a broad and immediate humanitarian response for displaced people, among whom were a significant number of migrants. IOM therefore positioned an experienced emergency response team in Bangui to lead the inter-cluster approach, gather data, and conduct site facilitation of the spontaneous displacement sites in Bangui. IOM also advocated for and facilitated life-saving humanitarian activities through evacuation and travel health assistance for migrants and transit centre management. Furthermore, IOM continues to provide healthcare and referral services and aims to provide psychosocial services to sites not yet assisted by other actors. IOM also facilitates humanitarian access to all sites. In order to address drivers of displacement and the impacts of the conflict, IOM has also initiated signature programming to support the international community, government and communities in providing for initial economic and social stability at the community level, in promoting social cohesion where possible, and in addressing conditions related to displacement including reintegration needs for those wishing to return voluntarily to home communities. IOM will continue to work in support of peacebuilding efforts, to help end displacement and facilitate transition to peace. 2.1 EVACUATION ASSISTANCE TO STRANDED MIGRANTS In line with its core mandate of assisting member states in addressing migration-related challenges, IOM was approached by a number of member states to facilitate life-saving evacuations for their citizens. While a number of governments, including Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali and Ivory Coast organized their own means of transport, IOM assisted the member states by assuming the responsibility for registration, fit-for-travel medical examinations, provision of medical escorts where needed, liaison with security forces to ensure security escorts, liaison with airport authorities, food and water distribution, access to WASH services and general departure assistance for air movements. page 2

4 ACTIVITY REPORT Central African Republic IOM furthermore organized 25 charter flights, and other logistical arrangements voluntarily evacuating people to Mali, Niger, Chad and Sudan, and stranded migrants from Pakistan, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Japan and Gabon for a total of 9,309 persons. Key Achievements 9,309 persons evacuated directly by IOM and assistance provided to Governments to evacuate 98,631 persons. Registration of third country nationals pending re-activation of charter flights. 3. CCCM Activities 3.1 CO-FACILITATION OF CCCM CLUSTER As global co-lead of the CCCM Cluster, IOM was appointed co-facilitator of the CAR CCCM Cluster which was officially activated in January In this capacity, IOM is providing information management services, including mapping exercises, which benefit the cluster and the broader humanitarian community. In line with the Strategic Response Plan objectives, the core responsibilities of the cluster are: 1. Ensuring that the humanitarian assistance and protection of affected populations seeking a safe haven in displacement sites and transit centres is well managed and coordinated, responding to life-saving needs and aiming towards international standards. 2. Ensuring that representative and functioning communication and leadership structures are in place and supported in displacement and transit sites; all affected, especially vulnerable populations, are involved (in accordance with the accountability to affected populations framework and based on a selection in accordance with an age and gender disaggregated approach). 3. Supporting informed decision-making for voluntary return through effective information dissemination. As direct manager of several displacement sites in Bangui, most notably the Central Mosque and the Transit Centre, IOM plays an integral role in assuring the effectiveness of the cluster through not only the co-facilitation of the cluster, but also the direct implementation of the strategic objectives in the field. The cluster s current focus lies on contingency planning for those sites likely to remain in place during the rainy season. 3.2 MOBILE AND ON-SITE FACILITATION As a vital part of the effort of the humanitarian community, IOM coordinates the mobile site facilitation programme, designed to provide active and up-to-date monitoring of all displacement sites in Bangui resulting in accurate and timely information on developing dynamics for humanitarian partners. Over 50 site facilitators have been seconded to IOM from seven national (AFPE, AIDE, JUPEDEC, Remod, Ideal) and international (Mercy Corps, DRC) NGOs. On a daily basis, these site facilitators monitor all active displacement sites in Bangui, as well as monitoring of inactive sites, by ensuring the sharing of necessary decommissioning needs with the humanitarian community. As of 13 March 2014, 57 active sites hosting over 235,000 IDPs have been identified. At the height of the crisis, IOM through the site facilitator programme monitored over 125 sites hosting over 450,000 IDPs. Direct site management is also provided in sites such as the Central Mosque in the 3eme arrondissement, where Muslims and Christians continue to cohabitate and where third country nationals (TCNs) are registered for evacuations out of CAR. IOM also managed the Transit Centre at the ex-military airport that closed down on 20 March 2014 after its hosted population was either evacuated or relocated. At the height of the evacuation period, over 6,000 stranded migrants were hosted at the transit centre to whom IOM provided direct assistance, coordinated service provision and registered for the evacuation charters organized in coordination with governments. IOM will also provide direct and mobile site management to sites out of Bangui where pockets of IDPs are still trapped or have fled to. page 3 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION

5 December 2013 March DISPLACEMENT TRACKING MATRIX AND HUMANITARIAN GAP IDENTIFICATION The IOM Displacement Matrix (DTM) has been set up in December 2013 to collect and disseminate pertinent information for the humanitarian community. The DTM acts as the main information management tool of the CCCM Cluster and the main resource for actors intervening at the different displacement sites. DTM gathered data and site facilitators monitoring visits provide IOM with the basis to produce the Site Profiles document for all IDP sites within Bangui. These profiles contain both static information (such as location, contact information, etc.) and dynamic information (WASH, health facilities, information gaps, security, protection concerns, survival mechanisms, assistance provision, shelter, education, nutrition, organizational structures of displacement sites, among others). These Sites profiles are shared on a daily basis with CCCM partners and with all humanitarian partners. The inter-cluster working group Commission de Mouvement de Population (co-created by IOM and UNHCR) relies on these Sites profiles to inform their daily activities and response strategies. IOM produced and keeps updating maps with demographic information and location of every site and transit centre within Bangui. Similarly, IOM through the site facilitators gathers daily up-to-date information about population movements and displacement figures at the different sites and produces daily reports to all cluster leads, informing them of recent developments and lending a voice to the needs of the beneficiaries. Additionally, IOM shares on a daily basis pertinent and urgent humanitarian needs as identified by the site facilitators with the cluster leads. Through this system, IOM also provides referrals of identified GBV 1 cases to the GBV sub-cluster and UAMSC 2 to the child protection sub-cluster. Furthermore, IOM provides pertinent and urgently needed information regarding the impact of the rains on the different sites to those responsible for the site and the wider humanitarian community. IOM also tracks specifically needed information to inform targeted interventions of individual agencies or organizations. IOM has carried out three Intention Surveys to assess what persons at risk have the intentions of doing, what drove them unto displacement and they perceive as their primary needs for return or towards durable solutions. These Surveys form the basis for planning and assistance. Key Achievements Management of sites in Bangui, including airport transit site and Central Mosque Direct provision of services in displacement sites Co-creation of the Commission de Mouvements de Population Issuance of weekly reports on displacement related information from all sites in Bangui Provision and daily update of Site Profiles of all Bangui displacement sites to the humanitarian community Regularly updated geographic maps of displacement sites in Bangui Intention Surveys of conflict-affected persons at site level, updated on a monthly basis since January Health Assistance Through a regularly operating mobile health clinic, IOM facilitates mobile health care and referral assistance to sites hosting stranded migrants and other vulnerable people. IOM, in coordination with the health cluster, however also recognized the need to provide health triage, immediate care and treatment at sites not assisted by other actors. To this end, IOM started providing regularly mobile clinics operating at 14 sites throughout Bangui, most notably the Central Mosque, Mosque Ali Babolo, Grande Ecole Islamique, Eglise Lutherienne, Soeur de Malgash, Ecole Eventiste, Ecole Four Square, Ouham 2, Guitangola, Pere Lazariste, Pere Cambonien, Marché Sambo and Chapelle de Venceur. IOM works in close collaboration with local health authorities, WHO and other health cluster partners to facilitate timely referrals with assisted transportation services to and from nearby hospitals and other medical institutions for those 1 Gender-based violence 2 Unaccompanied and separated children page 4

6 ACTIVITY REPORT Central African Republic in need of further treatment and case management. Priority assistance focuses on women especially pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, children, older people, the injured, those with physical and mental disabilities, and those with chronic medical conditions in need of continuity of care. 5. Shelter and NFI In coordination with other humanitarian partners and OCHA, IOM is evaluating relocation areas both in- and outside Bangui to improve the ability to provide humanitarian assistance and security, specifically to displaced populations and at-risk groups. IOM will deliver relief assistance in the form of shelter repair and reconstruction kits to those IDPs returning to their places of origin. The project will target IDPs and their host communities in areas affected by the conflict, as well as temporary relocation sites for those displaced unable to return to their areas of origin due to insecurity and protection concerns. To this end, IOM also closely liaises with all relevant clusters to address arising challenges with regards to the rainy season and its specific implications for both the supply chain management and shelter specifications. 6. Stability and Transition In order to help communities to achieve stability, reduce displacement drivers, increase resilience and facilitate conditions suitable for returns, IOM undertakes a series of early recovery and community resilience activities based on community outreach, economic support and rehabilitation initiatives. These activities are based on the information collected through the IOM assessment and profiling exercises conducted on a monthly basis. These data indicate that the majority of the displaced population lists insecurity, damage to housing and property, and lack of livelihoods as primary displacement drivers. 6.1 COMMUNITY REHABILITATION Having been closely involved in the site facilitation of sites located in the 3rd arrondissement and understanding the economic and social importance of this zone, which hosts one of the most vital markets of the capital frequented by different ethnic and religious groups, IOM in partnership with the local authorities is supporting community rehabilitation and stabilization. Through labour-intensive projects carried out by community members, and particularly involving vulnerable youth and women and their families, IOM is injecting cash into the fragile economy of Bangui, enhancing the resilience of the target community and promoting social cohesion amongst the mixed populations still cohabitating in this area. Garbage cleaning, minor repairs of the water pipelines and similar activities are carried out by mixed teams of different confessional and ethnic backgrounds in an attempt to promote values like tolerance and co-existence especially among youth and women. 6.2 COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH IOM, in coordination with the communication group of the UN and local media, identified information sharing between the humanitarian community and the beneficiaries as one of the main challenges. The results of the daily monitoring of the dynamics in the different displacement sites provide a clearer picture of the situation in the country and clearly indicate that beneficiaries need to be better connected to the information provided by the humanitarian community and. IOM is working on identifying a funding strategy to ensure access to two-way information throughout the displacement sites. As one of the main identified gaps was the lack of access to information for the beneficiaries, IOM established a 24/7 hotline for beneficiaries and those responsible for site coordination, through which information about humanitarian assistance can be obtained, grievances and complaints vocalized and specific information about developing situations (security, impact of rain, etc.) can be shared. This tool has been very well received and provides a means of a two-way communication with the beneficiaries. page 5 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION

7 December 2013 March 2014 IOM is also conscious of the importance that communication and media can play in promoting peace, tolerance and social cohesion amongst communities. In order to support medium- and longer-term efforts to stabilize communities, IOM plans to design a comprehensive communication strategy promoting reconciliation and social cohesion. 6.3 PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSISTANCE In December 2014 IOM conducted an assessment of the psychosocial needs of IDP populations in Bangui and a mapping of available resources. This has brought to a partnership with DRC and Coopi and to the elaboration of a program that has been funded by CERF for kick-starting. In the meanwhile the partnership has been used to refer urgent psychosocial needs identified by the IOM CCCM teams on the ground. An international psychosocial expert, who will lead IOM s psychosocial activities in CAR has been identified and is due to deployment in the coming days. The CERF-funded psychosocial programme consists in a combination of different forms of support, including community-based recreational and ritual activities, discussion groups, training in psychosocial first aid, individual and group counselling and outpatient referral to the psychiatric ward in Bangui. Key Achievements 100 direct beneficiaries of the cash-for-work programme PK5 Market cleaned up 3 peace events held 7. Way Forward IOM has established its presence in Bangui and all the above described activities are on-going. In the next quarter IOM will explore the possibilities of expanding its geographical coverage in areas with a large presence of populations at risk and in need of immediate assistance. Field assessments are currently being carried out and the first two locations identified are Boda and Moyen Sido. A detailed plan of action is under preparation for both locations. During the first quarter, several donors have supported IOM with allocations and pledges, including the Government of the United States, the European Union, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF). All the activities have been kick-started through the IOM Migration Emergency Funding Mechanism (MEFM). page 6

8 Central African Republic Crisis Response 2014