IOM, MPI Explore Lessons Learnt from Libyan Crisis

GENEVA, Switzerland, July 20, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- IOM and the Migration Policy Institute have published a third "Issue in Brief" policy paper: Asian Labour Migrants and Humanitarian Crises: Lessons from Libya.

In the paper, authors Brian Kelly and Anita Jawadurovna Wadud examine migration crises and the international and national humanitarian response. They also identify several policy recommendations, particularly for the Colombo Process (labour-sending) member states.

The Libyan migration crisis, following the outbreak of open conflict in February 2011, highlighted the inadequacy of the response of the international community and raised questions regarding the efficacy of existing coordination mechanisms and frameworks. It also brought to the forefront the different roles for states and international organizations.

The brief also examines the ways in which international labour migrants in conflict zones are generally more vulnerable than the native population. These migrants, who play an integral part in sustaining the economies and societies of many countries today (particularly in the Middle East), may not speak the local language or share the same culture and are often at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

Their employers may be a party to the conflict, leaving the workers vulnerable to targeted attacks from opposing parties. The migrants' immediate proximity to danger and conflict is balanced against the negative impact that losing their jobs could have on their families back home.

To download a free copy of the report, please go to:

http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=49&products_id=815&zenid=da688cb695b96a6f5db4da6b7d1a57be