International Organization for Migration is a new UN Specialized / External Agency - Each is Bibliographically Independent – NOT covered by other UN full text and index resources- Their own WEB pages are the best access.
The United Nations in June of 2016 estimated that the number of refugees in the world had passed the 60 million mark and was still climbing, And refugees are just one part of overall migration, broadly defined to cover both migration and immigration, whether internal or across national borders, and including both that which is voluntary and that which is forced. Climate change and resulting drought, and to a lesser degree, floods, have made land formerly used for crops and flocks now unusable, so populations can no longer survive where they had for time out of memory. Further, today in many regions of the world displaced populations present a grave humanitarian crisis in matters of food, shelter, and security. Migrants whether from sheer numbers or from ill intent, can also destabilize political structures, and even cause serious environmental degradation. Public health both within and around an incoming group can be seriously impacted Current actions by the United Nations include the following:
International Organization for Migration. <http://www.iom.int> “The IOM, which assisted an estimated 20 million migrants in 2015, is an intergovernmental organization with over 9,500 staff and 450 offices worldwide. It was founded in 1950 in the wake of the Second World War to resettle refugees from Europe.” IOM web. On July 25, 2016 the UN General Assembly recognized the importance of migration issues on a global scale by making the IOM a Specialized Agency of the United Nations.
United Nations Summit on Migration and Refugees. The President of the General Assembly, on behalf of all United Nations Member States, has organized an all day summit to be held on 19 September 2016 at UN Headquarters in New York. Hosted by the General Assembly, this high-level summit will address large movements of refugees and migrants, with the aim of bringing countries together behind a more humane and coordinated approach.
This is the first time the General Assembly has called for a summit at the Heads of State and
Government level on large movements of refugees and migrants and it is a historic opportunity to
come up with a blueprint for a better international response. It is a watershed moment to
strengthen governance of international migration and a unique opportunity for creating a more
responsible, predictable system for responding to large movements of refugees and migrants.
UN Web < https://refugeesmigrants.un.org/summit>
Summit Draft Outcome Document. Beginning by observing that “Since earliest times, humanity has been on the move…” and noting that “We are witnessing in today’s world an unprecedented level of human mobility” this document lays out in some 30 pages a coordinated international plan to deal with migration and refugees. This will be considered for adoption at the Summit.
<https://unngls.org/images/PDF/UN_Summit_Refugees_Migrants_29July_Draft_Declaration_Annex_I_Annex_II.pdf>
Leaders’ Summit on Refugees. <http://www.state.gov/p/io/c71574.htm> On 20 September 2016, United States President Obama is hosting the Leaders' Summit on Refugees, alongside co-hosts Canada, Ethiopia, Germa ny, Jordan, Mexico and Sweden, which will appeal to governments to pledge significant new commitments on refugees.” UN Summit Page
