Understanding migrants to develop the National Migration and Development Policy

The complex nature of migration in Belize due, to its proximity to countries with high emigration rates, makes it both a country for transit and destination. Belize is currently receiving the largest number of immigrants since 1983, with a similar proportionate number of men to women migrating to Belize. Apart from this, the country is also experiencing high emigration and receiving a rising number of forced and voluntary returnees.

That is why IOM Belize believes it is necessary to support the government in developing tools for achieving a coordinated approach towards the planning, implementing and monitoring of migration and development policies under a clear and coherent national vision.  

To design a comprehensive migration and development policy that encompasses different aspects of migration governance and integrates migration into national development planning in a coherent manner, an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee Meeting was formed comprising all ministries that respond to migration management.

The first step toward designing a National Migration and Development Policy for Belize consists in formulating a Migrant Survey that analyses migrants in Belize and Belizeans living abroad. 

The discussion of the development of the Migrant Survey, was the center of the Second Steering Committee Meeting held on July 19 2018. This was attended, among others, by CEO and Director of the Department of Immigration, Edmund Zuniga and Diana Locke, respectively.

The Migrant Survey will be constructed through reports carried out by consultants tasked to collect quantitative and quantitative information and a review of existing legislation on migration in Belize.

Consultant, Melanie Smith, who is conducting the qualitative aspect of the Migrant Survey participated in the Steering Committee Meeting and subsequently, this month, travelled to different communities that experience high migration. The consultant collected data that would allow qualitative description of the immigration and influx Belize is experiencing and describe the different kinds of immigrants in Belize.

The consultant met with focus groups of Central American, Extra-regional, North American and CARICOM migrants living in Belize to understand areas of their lives that will help in formulating the National Policy.

Putting a face to migrants and understanding them will answer economic, sociological, regional and extra regional political issues that are influencing migration in Belize. Understanding the quality of life of migrants, their stories and the migration laws in place will equip the Government of Belize to formulate a National Migration and Development Policy that actively guides the migration management of the country