Migrants affected by a conflict or a disaster often “fall between the cracks” of response systems and do not receive adequate support. In addition, in the absence of assistance or secure pathways to leave the crisis-affected area, migrants may either become stranded in dangerous circumstances or forced to resort to risky routes to access safety. Therefore, they may be exposed to further threats to life and to physical integrity as well as abuse in the context of trafficking, smuggling, or other exploitation.
The Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC) Initiative generated voluntary guidelines and effective practices for States and other stakeholders to follow to protect and assist migrants caught in conflict or natural disasters. In Central Asia, the IOM Regional Migration Program brought together practitioners and policymakers to increase knowledge of the MICIC Initiative and to promote dialogue amongst governments as well as coordination during emergencies.
Emergency and migration State services from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, as well as consular services of Central Asian and European countries, United Nations agencies, and international organizations contributed different examples of national-level communication tools, such as mobile applications and SMS distribution, to the MICIC repository of promising practices, which supplements the MICIC Guidelines to Protect Migrants in Countries Experiencing Conflict or Natural Disaster. These non-binding and voluntary principles, guidelines, and practices identify the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders with regard to migrants in countries in crisis. They also provide concrete guidance on how to prepare for and respond to crises in ways that protect and empower migrants.