Dominican Republic

In a series of virtual sessions facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), between November 16 and 17, the member countries of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) met to promote technical dialogue to strengthen knowledge and procedures, so that the preparation and response to massive migration flows are given within the framework of efficient migration management without neglecting respect for the human rights of migrants.

The National Institute for Migration of the Dominican Republic (INM RD) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) gave diplomas to the participants of the first edition of the "Diploma in intercultural mediation" that was held in a semi-presential way in the municipality of Dajabón. This training, which began on February 4, took place during forty hours of face-to-face and twenty of virtual activities, in which concepts related to migration, interculturality and human rights were addressed, as well as tools and practical aspects for mediation.

More than 20,000 migrants have been counseled from the Information Hub on Migration that operates in Santo Domingo, thanks to the coordinated work between the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Dominican Republic. Free, timely and bilingual (Spanish and Creole) orientation has been provided without interruption, even in times of confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A total of 41 people from a wide range of backgrounds and professions participated in two virtual sessions on the crime of human trafficking on October 29. Among them were migration officials, legal professionals, teachers and doctoral students.  The activity was part of the virtual tutored course "Migration Policy and Governance in Latin America and the Caribbean", which IOM is implementing with the Inter-American Development Bank's Migration Training Program. 

On October 26th, 40 representatives of the Member Countries of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) concluded a cycle of virtual sessions for exchange and proposals on the best interest of migrant, refugee and in need of protection children and adolescents. The process, initially planned as an in-person workshop, was virtualized in response to the distancing measures imposed by COVID-19, so that a total of four online sessions were held since March.