MICIC Initiative and Guidelines

Today, we live in an age of increased mobility with nearly 250 million international migrants worldwide. When conflicts or natural disasters erupt, migrants may require targeted assistance. Migrants have unique vulnerabilities, needs, and capacities, which can be overlooked in crisis preparedness, emergency response, and recovery.

The Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC) Initiative, a government-led effort co-chaired by the United States and the Philippines, aimed to improve the protection of migrants when the countries in which they live, work, study, transit, or travel experience a conflict or natural disaster.

Through a broad and inclusive consultative process, launched in 2014, the MICIC Initiative developed Guidelines to Protect Migrants in Countries Experiencing Conflict or Natural Disaster. Released in June 2016, these non-binding and voluntary Principles, Guidelines, and Practices identify the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders vis-à-vis migrants in countries in crisis and provide concrete guidance on how to prepare for and respond to crises in ways that protect and empower migrants.

Capacity Building efforts are now being undertaken in several countries in order to implement the Guidelines.