Costa Rica: Assistance to Migrants Affected by Hurricane Otto

 
5 December, 2016

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) provided support to the national emergency response as Hurricane Otto hit Costa Rica last November. IOM assisted in the evacuation and provided assistance to approximately 1519 migrants stranded at both the northern and southern borders, in four of the counties on maximum alert.


Imagen emergecia huracán Otto

On the border with Nicaragua, the IOM team provided support to the migration authorities with ​​emergency assistance, including the relocation of migrants from camps to safe shelters.


On the southern border with Panama, the work focused on widely disseminating preventive messages and raising awareness in several languages regarding the emergency situation the country was experiencing.

 
In an effort to prevent human casualties, IOM issued a warning call to migrants in transit to avoid irregular or informal movements, as personal security risks increased with the impact of this natural phenomenon. Many of the routes used by migrants cross the areas most heavily hit by the hurricane.

 


 

The IOM personnel also continued to provide support and resources regarding the voluntary return program by explaining to migrants the opportunities and requirements of this initiative.


Natural disasters pose complex and distinct challenges for countries and communities, and thus the specific vulnerabilities of certain populations should be considered, including those of migrant populations. Within this context, it is important that migrants have the right to move to safe places and be provided the necessary conditions and information to guarantee their life and dignity.


These recommendations are part of the Guidelines for the Protection of Migrants in Countries Affected by Conflicts or Natural Disasters (MICIC), which were applied as part of Costa Rica’s response to this situation.