The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Mano River Union (MRU), has initiated a three-day training program focused on the Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC) initiative.

The training, which began on [start date], aims to enhance regional resilience and safeguard migrants during emergencies.

Ambassador Simeon M-B. Moribah, Secretary General of the MRU, underscored the heightened vulnerabilities faced by migrants within the Mano River Union region during crises. He emphasized the importance of the MICIC initiative in equipping stakeholders with essential tools to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of migrants. “This training equips us with essential tools to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of migrants during crises,” Moribah said. “Our goal is to bolster regional resilience and address migrant vulnerabilities effectively.”

IOM Sierra Leone Head of Office, Christos Christodoulides, outlined the key objectives of the training. “We aim to enhance the capacity of governments and participants to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises, ensuring no one, especially migrants, is left behind,” Christodoulides stated. The training covers three critical phases: pre-crisis preparedness, in-crisis response, and post-crisis recovery.

The training model encourages active participant engagement, allowing attendees to share their experiences and insights. This collaborative approach aims to foster practical problem-solving and enhance the overall effectiveness of crisis management. Additionally, the initiative seeks to document and share best practices from other countries, with the goal of expanding similar training programs throughout the MRU region.

The overarching aim of the MICIC initiative is to improve institutional and responder capacities to manage crises more effectively, with a focus on reducing migrant vulnerabilities and ensuring access to critical resources