IOM Chief of Mission meets new Head of State Migration Service of Ukraine

27 March 2014

The newly appointed head of the State Migration Service (SMS) of Ukraine, Serhii Radutnyi, met with IOM Ukraine’s Chief of Mission, Manfred Profazi. Mr. Profazi congratulated Mr. Radutnyi on his appointment and wished him success in leading Ukraine’s flagship migration agency, taking into account the new SMS head’s previous experience in this sphere. Mr. Radutnyi emphasized the value of cooperation with IOM and the prospects of further growing this partnership. The IOM Chief of Mission expressed his compassion in light of the situation in Crimea, which has compelled some people to move to mainland Ukraine. He underscored the importance of coordinated support from IOM and UNHCR in terms of defining these people’s needs and preparing targeted responses to the identified challenges. >>read more

 

Study visit to the Republic of Estonia for customs officials

18 March 2014

On 18–20 March 2014, International organization for Migration (IOM), in cooperation with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), will carry out a study visit to Estonia for 20 customs officials from the Republic of Belarus and Ukraine on the “Electronic pre-arrival information exchange system”. Special attention will be given to the use of the pre-arrival information exchange system and to sharing experience and good practices on the regional level. The activity envisages visits to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board, the Sillamäe waiting area, and the Narva border crossing point. Moreover, the Import Control System (ICS), work procedures, methods of risk analysis and the electronic reservation system for border crossing, among other topics, will also be presented to the participants. >>read more

 

IOM and International Institute for Connections with Diaspora to strengthen cooperation

6 February 2014

On 28 January, IOM Ukraine’s Chief of Mission Manfred Profazi met with the Director of National Lviv Polytechnic University’s International Institute for Education, Culture and Connections with Diaspora, Iryna Kluchkovska. The meeting was also attended by IOM Ukraine’s Labour Migration Project Manager Anastasia Vynnychenko and the Institute’s Lead Researcher, Oksana Pyatkovska. Mr. Profazi and Ms. Kluchkovska discussed a number of important issues related to international migration and the Ukrainian diaspora, other issues of common interest, and agreed on further cooperation and mutual events. >>read more

 

Over 2,000 Migrants Perished This Year Globally, IOM Reports

18 December 2013

The International Organization for Migration warns today that unless the international community takes decisive action to address the causes of irregular migration, more migrant lives will be lost at the hands of people smugglers and traffickers. Observing International Migrants Day (18 December) the Organization’s Director General, William Lacy Swing noted that 2013 may have been the costliest year on record in terms of lives lost, for migrants seeking to cross international borders clandestinely. >>read more

 

Ukrainian public and private sector engaged in migration and development discussions

21 November 2013

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission in Ukraine, in cooperation with the National Bank of Ukraine gathered over 20 representatives of the Ukrainian Government, Parliament, private sector and academia, to engage in a dialogue on ways to better utilize migration potential for the country's development. This was the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the IOM-implemented project Research and Policy Dialogue Initiative on Migration and Remittances in Ukraine, funded by the Government of Canada. As previously reported, with this initiative Canadian Government and IOM will assist the Government of Ukraine in developing policies to effectively harness the link between migration and development through increasing awareness among key stakeholders on the nature, use and impact of remittances entering Ukraine, describing migrants and their households overall financial behaviour, as well as assessing the overall impact of migration on the country's socio-economic development. >>read more

 

IOM and MTV EXIT warn Ukrainian youth about dangers of trafficking

20 November 2013

The IOM Mission in Ukraine supported and MTV EXIT counter-trafficking campaign.MTV EXIT’s new documentary “Trading Lives”, hosted by popular singer Jamala, gives Ukrainians insight into the human trafficking trade through first-hand accounts from victims, and provides clear actions young people can take to stay safe when considering work abroad. The documentary premiered to media, government officials and NGO partners in Kyiv on 19 November, and will air nation-wide on 5th Channel at 15:10 on 1 December. “MTV EXIT’s goal is to educate young people about this critical social issue, encourage them to be vigilant when travelling abroad and ensure they know how to take action if they suspect human trafficking,” said Matt Love, Director, MTV EXIT. >>read more