IOM Launches Campaign to Support Migrants in Belize

On Friday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched a new campaign aimed at increasing awareness about issues that migrants face in Belize. The encompasses promotional materials including pamphlets, and videos, that address various issues and share information on where migrants can receive support in getting their status in Belize regularized. Jacklyn Castillo, National Project Coordinator at the IOM explained that the campaign comes out of the IOM’s Integrated Responses on Migration (IRM) Program. Castillo spoke on various types of support offered under the IRM.

Since December 2020, the IOM implemented 12 activities in Belize through the IRM program, which included the establishment of four migrant hubs. These hubs were done in partnership with the Child Development Foundation (CDF) in Camalote, Cayo District, Humana People to People in Bella Vista, Toledo District, Belize Red Cross, San Ignacio, Cayo District, and the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in Belize City. Diana Shaw, Executive Director of the CDF, says that she came to Belize as a migrant from Jamaica 25 years ago, and hopes she can help others to have the same pleasant experience she did. She spoke on the services that the CDF provides to help achieve that goal.

The awareness campaign, titled “Raising Awareness on the Integration of Migrants in Belize,” is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).