EU-IOM Joint Initiative

for Migrant Protection and Reintegration

To ensure evidence-based policy and programming, Flow Monitoring Points were set up under the EU-IOM Joint Initiative which collect and analyse data on migrant movements and profiles along the main migration routes in Africa.

The purpose of Flow Monitoring is to provide regularly updated information on the scale and profiles of population movements through specific locations. The information and analysis provided through the flow monitoring methodology also helps to better understand and define shortcomings and priorities in the provision of assistance along migratory routes.

Monitoring population movements allows for a better understanding of intentions, trends, routes, risks along migration routes as well as demographic and socio-economic profiles of migrants. It serves as a common source of data contributing to informed policymaking by authorities in countries of origin, transit and destination.

It also complements IOM’s efforts to address the operational challenges of migration management, and contribute to advancing the understanding of migration issues and upholding the human dignity and well-being of migrants.  

The latest Flow Monitoring Reports are available here.

Data collection, analysis, and reporting on AVRR activities is another key element of the data management supported by the EU-IOM Joint Initiative. Organizing tens of thousands of returns and reintegration activities requires a strong data system to support IOM country and regional offices in their day to day operation and ensure regular reporting to government and partners. In this context, data collected on AVRR activities are reported on a monthly basis by each country office and compiled at a cross-regional level.  

The EU-IOM Joint Initiative is also supporting an update of the online AVRR data system (MiMOSA) that will facilitate data entry, retrieving, and follow-up of each migrant supported with return and reintegration assistance. The system allows the monitoring and evaluation of individual return and reintegration assistance, which will not only be used to adjust individual assistance but also to inform future policies and programming. 

The EU-IOM Joint Initiative will support the Regional Data Hub comprising of a group of specialists in data analysis, geographic information systems, information management and reporting who will contribute to evidence-based strategic and policy level discussion on migration in the Horn of Africa region.

This will be achieved through:

1. Strengthening operationalization and expansion of the IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) and other data collection and analysis;
2. Harmonizing methodology, frameworks, and operational design while ensuring data interoperability to capture mixed migration movements across the region with link to global standard;
3. Integrating primary and secondary data from all reliable sources to ensure comprehensive analysis; and
4. Engaging key stakeholders to ensure effective use of data and analysis for regional discussions on migration. 

Operationally, the Regional Data Hub will involve regular events for information sharing and dissemination, awareness raising, and dialogue and consultation around migration data. A data portal and other regular information sharing platforms will be made available to disseminate the products of data and analysis in more useful and meaningful formats to be able to contribute to policy and strategic level discussions on migration.