CFO, ICMPD and PL Embassy Hold Follow-Up Training on Crisis Preparedness and Consular Contingency Planning in Pretoria

The participants to the Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC) Follow-up Training on Crisis Preparedness and Consular Contingency Planning: Standing, from left to right - Consular officials from Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Philippines; Seated, from left to right – ICMPD Project Officer Megan Pilli, Ambassador (ret.) Bayani Mangibin, Ambassador Joseph Gerard B. Angeles, Consul General Enrico Fos, and CFO Emigrant Services Officer Ms. Joanna Lyn Rodriguez.

10 May 2017 PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – Consular officials from the Embassies and High Commissions of Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the Philippines met at the Southern Sun Hotel for a Follow-up Training on Crisis Preparedness and Consular Contingency Planning in Pretoria from April 26 to 28.

Building on the previous seminar also in Pretoria in December 2016, the Follow-up Training focused on developing and implementing consular contingency plans taking into consideration the vulnerabilities and needs of migrants (nationals abroad). A special session on strengthening multi-stakeholder coordination in crisis contexts included crisis scenario exercises and a panel discussion among representatives of the UNHCR, IOM, and consular staff from the embassies of the United States and the Philippines.

The training is part of the global peer-to-peer initiative focused on strengthening consular contingency planning skills within the framework of the EU-funded project – Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC): Supporting an Evidence-based Approach for Effective and Cooperative State Action, implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

As highlighted throughout the MICIC consultation process and guidelines, no country is immune to crisis and the need for diplomatic and consular missions to act quickly, decisively, and effectively is imperative. In cooperation with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), ICMPD’s hands-on training is providing capacity-building for foreign service posts to develop and strengthen plans to facilitate migrants’ access to assistance and movement to safety when services may be disrupted due to crisis.

For more information, visit www.pretoriape.dfa.gov.ph. END