Introduction

IECAH has initiated a new study-review on regional inter-agency coordination mechanisms in response to mixed movements in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. The study is launched on the joint initiative of DG-ECHO, AECID and IOM, along with UNHCR and OCHA and the support of the LAC MRD Coalition and the Federation of the Red Cross.

What is the study’s theme?

Currently, there is a complex migration situation in Latin America and the Caribbean with the presence of mixed migration flows composed of a variety of profiles, including individuals seeking refuge, asylum, employment opportunities, among others. The largest percentage of migrants in the region come from countries such as Venezuela, Haiti, Honduras, Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala, who face serious socioeconomic and integration challenges in the receiving countries. Issues of insecurity, political instability and the exposure to disasters and extreme environmental conditions that people face in their migration process further exacerbate the humanitarian needs of this population.

As a result, several organizations have set up a series of coordination mechanisms to provide a humanitarian response to the migration crisis. This emergence of multiple coordination mechanisms, with disparate mandates, capacities and presence, makes it necessary to map and review them. Identifying and analyzing their strengths, challenges, complementarities and gaps will make it possible to strengthen and provide an effective response adapted to the new context.

What will we investigate?

The study-review has the following objectives:

• Know the functioning of existing inter-agency coordination mechanisms at the regional and national levels.
• Evaluate joint efficiency, complementarity and interconnection based on the identification of gaps, challenges, duplications and strengths. 
• Analyze the links between the regional mechanisms and the governmental, institutional, and regional bodies of host countries.
• Identify the information products available for an analysis of needs and responses.
• Analyze the demands for coordination and information management from involved stakeholders.
• Elaborate feasible recommendations to adapt the mechanisms, seeking joint efficiency. 

For the study, the research team will use a mixed methodology based on a literature review and interviews, surveys and focus groups with relevant actors in the region. The study will culminate at the end of May with the publication of the final report.