New York, August 14, 2020 – The Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) held a virtual meeting to strengthen the relationship of strategic allies in the Latin American region on August 14, 2020.

In the context of the current socio-political and health crisis which Latin America is facing, the event aimed to exchange experiences of assistance and protection to populations in situations of human mobility in the region and to identify concrete lines of cooperation that allow consolidating the relationship of strategic allies between both organizations.

The current perspective on assistance and protection to populations in a situation of human mobility in the region during the Venezuelan crisis and COVID-19; the mapping of developed actions and challenges faced by SIMN and IOM in the region, and the areas of convergence and lines of cooperation were the focus points addressed by the participants from each organization.

Participants of the conference included Ms. Adriana Escariz, Regional Director for South America; Mr. Diego Beltrand, Special Envoy of the Director General of IOM for the Regional Response to the Situation in Venezuela, and Fr. Jairo Guidini, Executive Director of SIMN. A total of 58 people attended the virtual meeting.

The relationship of strategic allies between SIMN and IOM dates back to 2011 and in recent years, after the signing of the cooperation agreement on migration matters, some IOM offices have established agreements with Scalabrinian entities members of SIMN in the South American region, developing and implementing in some cases joint projects, and in others collaborations and initiatives.