The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says it is expanding its support to Sri Lanka’s appeal for international aid as the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has risen to more than 350, with over 360 more reported missing. 

Issuing a statement, the IOM said that Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency as severe flooding, landslides, and damage to infrastructure have affected nearly 1 million people and displaced over 209,000 individuals.

“The people of Sri Lanka have not seen such widespread destruction in years,” said Kristin Parco, IOM Chief of Mission in Sri Lanka. “Communities have been uprooted, and many families are now sheltering in overcrowded, temporary spaces while facing immense uncertainty. We are entering a critical phase of this emergency, and mobilizing humanitarian assistance is essential to reduce the suffering of those displaced by Cyclone Ditwah and to ensure their safety, dignity, and access to basic services during this difficult time.”

IOM teams are on the ground strengthening the emergency response by providing non-food items, shelter, and other critical supplies, in close coordination with the Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre (DMC), other United Nations agencies, and international partners. To reinforce these efforts, IOM is exploring its local networks and prepositioned goods in nearby countries to ensure efficient and timely distribution of assistance, particularly as access challenges continue to emerge in flood-affected and remote areas.

The priority for the next 48 hours to one week will remain search-and-rescue operations and providing urgent humanitarian relief to remote areas and hard-to-reach populations. IOM is also supporting authorities through volunteer deployments, coordination assistance, and joint needs assessments to ensure accurate and timely information for response planning.

Tropical Cyclone Ditwah has inundated all 25 districts of Sri Lanka with 150–500 mm of continuous heavy rainfall and winds reaching 70–90 km/h over three days. Power outages, major road blockages, and significant disruptions to communications networks have been reported across the country. 

Several high-risk areas, including the districts of Batticaloa, Ampara, Puttalam, Polonnaruwa, Gampaha, Badulla, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Matale, and Colombo, have been placed on red alert, with the highest number of people affected and emergency evacuation orders issued for communities along vulnerable river basins and landslide-prone slopes. The storm made landfall on 28 November and caused some of the most severe flooding the country has experienced in nearly two decades. 

IOM urges the public to continue following official advisories and to remain prepared for further flooding, landslides, strong winds, extended power outages, and possible disruptions to essential services as Cyclone Ditwah’s impacts continue. (Newswire)

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Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Sri Lanka & Maldives, Kristin Parco, visited the Katunayake Airport to observe the ongoing progress of the Border Health Project.

According to IOM Sri Lanka, the Border Health Project is implemented by the IOM and funded by the Government of Japan.

The visit focused on key developments under the project, such as the installation of e-Gates, upgraded sensor-equipped washroom facilities, advanced baggage scanners, trolley tug pushers, and other essential health and safety equipment. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has held discussions regarding the implementation of an online system for the issuance and extension of overseas travel documents through Sri Lankan missions abroad, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The discussion on the new system took place recently (Jan 28), based on a request made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath.

Representing the IOM, the Head of the IOM in Sri Lanka, Christine Parko, took part in the discussion with Minister Vijitha Herath at the Foreign Ministry. 

During the discussion, Christine Parko informed Minister Herath that by the end of this year, 20 Sri Lankan diplomatic missions selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be connected to this online initiative, with all provisions being funded by the Government of Japan.

As a solution to the current issue faced by Sri Lankans abroad, which is the prolonged waiting time for obtaining travel documents, the proposed online system will allow applications to be submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, fingerprints to be collected, and all processes to be completed at the consular offices.

Following the first phase, which will introduce the online system at 20 consular offices, Minister Herath requested Christine Parko to expand this service to other consular offices in the future.

Responding, Christine Parko confirmed that the IOM is ready to provide full support to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry in this regard. (Newswire)

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The International Organization for Migration (IOM) – UN Migration, has facilitated the safe and voluntary repatriation of 53 Sri Lankan migrant workers from Lebanon, pursuant to an official request made by the Government of Sri Lanka due to the ongoing conflict in the region. 

Issuing a statement, the IOM said four groups of stranded migrants in extremely vulnerable situations were repatriated on 6, 12, and 28 November and most recently 04 December 2024.

The IOM further said that the repatriations were conducted in close coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon, and IOM Lebanon.

IOM said its missions in Sri Lanka and Lebanon worked closely to provide comprehensive assistance to the migrants. This included conducting vulnerability screenings, consular assistance and documentation support, organizing travel, offering pre-departure counselling, conducting pre-departure medical evaluations and managing logistics related to voluntary repatriation. Urgent medical needs were also addressed upon migrants’ return to Sri Lanka.

Remarking on the repatriation effort, Ms. Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission for IOM Sri Lanka stated, “The successful repatriation of stranded Sri Lankan migrants from Lebanon highlights the power of coordinated action. IOM Sri Lanka extends its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Foreign Employment, and Tourism, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, the Embassy of Sri

Lanka in Lebanon, and IOM Lebanon for the swift and effective efforts.” She further commended the unwavering commitment of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon in advocating for the well-being of stranded Sri Lankans, ensuring that their needs were prioritized and addressed amidst volatile circumstances.

An estimated 7,600 Sri Lankan migrant workers are currently in Lebanon. These repatriations mark a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to support and protect Sri Lankan nationals overseas, particularly those impacted by conflicts and crises. IOM said it remains resolute in its commitment to facilitating humanitarian returns and upholding the rights and welfare of all migrants. (Newswire)

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath has stressed the importance of ensuring safe, orderly, regular, rights-based migration. 

He expressed these views in a recorded video message to the High-Level Segment of the 115th Session of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Council. 

The High-Level Segment of the IOM was themed: ‘Regular Migration Pathways: A Global Call for Action’, and the 115th Session of the Council was held in Geneva from 26-28 November 2024. 

Addressing the event, Minister Vijitha Herath said IOM’s work has increasing relevance in a rapidly evolving global migration landscape. 

“Therefore, we urge further sustained and coordinated action of IOM with all relevant UN agencies to support and strengthen States’ efforts to comprehensively respond to these challenges.

“Further, national efforts must work seamlessly with regional and international initiatives to protect people on the move, ensuring that risks are minimised, and regular migration pathways are strengthened,” he said. 

Minister Herath added; “Sri Lanka appreciates the valuable support provided by IOM, through its Sri Lanka country office, which continues to strengthen the development and implementation of Sri Lanka’s national policies on migration contributing to sustainable development and importantly, a rights-based approach to migration.” 

Full statement: 

I take this opportunity to convey our appreciation to the IOM for organising this High-Level Segment on the important theme – ‘Regular Migration Pathways: A Global Call for Action’. 

Migration has been a part of human existence for centuries. Today, people migrate voluntarily, primarily for work, or are compelled to do so due to natural disasters, climate change, conflict, and economic instability. In the process, they increasingly resort to irregular pathways of migration, risking their lives, and often falling victim to human trafficking. 

The real impact of the effects of climate change, conflict situations around the world, and economic compulsions driven by debt crises, on irregular movements has a heavy toll on the most vulnerable, particularly women and children.

IOM’s work has increasing relevance in a rapidly evolving global migration landscape. Therefore, we urge further sustained and coordinated action of IOM with all relevant UN agencies to support and strengthen States’ efforts to comprehensively respond to these challenges. Further, national efforts must work seamlessly with regional and international initiatives to protect people on the move, ensuring that risks are minimised, and regular migration pathways are strengthened. 

As a receiving, transit, and sending State pertaining to migration, Sri Lanka has been at the forefront of promoting safe, orderly and regular migration pathways through national, regional and international initiatives. Since migrants are human beings and migration must be rights-based, Sri Lanka has been at the forefront of promoting rights-based migration, internationally. Sri Lanka is one of the 60 States Parties to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. 

In this context, Sri Lanka underscores the significance of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2018. Its 23 objectives cover almost all dimensions of migration. 

I am pleased to inform that Sri Lanka is interested in becoming a GCM Champion Country, reinforcing our commitment to the GCM agenda on facilitating safe, orderly and regular migration. 

As a precursor to the 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Review of the GCM to be held in February 2025 in Bangkok, Sri Lanka and IOM recently co-hosted the South Asia Sub-Regional Consultation on the GCM. Focusing on three key areas of significance to South Asia – (1) labour migration; (2) counter-trafficking; and (3) climate-induced displacement; the consultation served as a valuable platform for dialogue and deliberation among Governments and civil society from South Asian countries as well as multiple local stakeholders and UN agencies, which will be reported in an outcome document for the upcoming regional review in Bangkok. 

Sri Lanka, as the founding chair of the Colombo Process, a regional consultative process established in 2003, has been committed to enhancing regional cooperation, promoting the sharing of best practices related to labour migration in countries of origin of South and Southeast Asia.

In response to the rapidly evolving global context, Sri Lanka launched its National Policy and Action Plan on Migration for Employment 2023 – 2027 last year, aligning with the implementation of the GCM. 

Sri Lanka appreciates the valuable support provided by IOM, through its Sri Lanka country office, which continues to strengthen the development and implementation of Sri Lanka’s national policies on migration contributing to sustainable development and importantly, a rights-based approach to migration. 

In conclusion, I reiterate Sri Lanka’s commitment to working in cooperation with the IOM, as well as regional, and international stakeholders, for ensuring safe, orderly, regular, and rights-based migration beneficial for all. (Newswire)

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with SriLankan Airlines conducted a programme recently for the trainers of the Airline on responding to human trafficking.

Issuing a statement, IOM Sri Lanka said aviation is the most frequent and quickest way to transport victims of human trafficking across borders. To combat this heinous crime, it’s crucial for airlines and law enforcement agencies to collaborate, implement efficient measures and train staff to recognize signs of human trafficking, and raise awareness among the stakeholders as they play an important role in effectively identifying, preventing, and responding to human trafficking.

International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Defence (as the Chair of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force – Sri Lanka) in collaboration with SriLankan Airlines, recently conducted a programme for the trainers of SriLankan Airlines on human trafficking with a special focus on the role and responsibilities of Airlines in identifying, reporting, and effectively responding to incidents of trafficking.

The participants were capacitated with the knowledge, analytical methods and resources that can be utilized to effectively identify victims of human trafficking and report such incidents. They also shared valuable insights and interesting encounters of successful identification of victims of trafficking.

“The aviation industry is in a unique position to identify and report trafficking cases if airline staff are sufficiently equipped with the required skills. Strengthening counter-trafficking measures in Sri Lanka and creating a unified front against trafficking are vital to combat the issue and we are happy to have played a pivotal role in providing technical support to the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defence, and the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force since 2010” stated Sarat Dash, IOM Chief of Mission for Sri Lanka. 

The training covered prevention aspects, the effective identification and reporting of potential trafficking incidents and the protection of victims. The sessions were delivered by thematic experts from the Ministry of Defence, IOM, and the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).

The training also incorporated the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Guidelines for Training Cabin Crew on Identifying and Responding to Trafficking in Persons (ICAO Circular 352) and Guidelines for Reporting Trafficking in Persons by Flight and Cabin Crew (ICAO Circular 357). (Newswire)

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