Staying Safe when moving
People move around the world for different reasons, including finding safer places to live, better job opportunities, and reuniting with family abroad. This movement happens in various ways and is driven by different reasons depending on the region. According to UNHCR midyear trends 2023 report, at mid-2023, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide was estimated at 110 million. This number includes refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced people.[1]
While moving, many migrants face dangers like labor and sexual exploitation, along transit routes and in host countries.
What is Migration?
Migration is when people move from one place to another, either across borders or within their own country, for different reasons such as for work, for education, escape from danger and including for family reunification.
What is unsafe migration?
- Unsafe migration is when people move between countries or destinations without following the rules set by those places. It involves entering, staying, or working in a country without proper permission or necessary documents required by immigration laws.
- For example - entering another country without a valid passport or travel document or permission for staying/working without authorization or permit.
- Illegal immigrants are at risk of human trafficking, sexual exploitation or other form of exploitation, in addition to suffering persecution such as slavery. They are, also, at greater risk than regular migrants due to lack of access to services such as health care. Also, they can face imprisonment (or deportation) for illegal entry.
Are you thinking about migrating to another place/country?
How can you make your migration safe?
Here are some tips for you to move safely, especially moving out to another country.
1. Gather as much information as possible about your destination!
Before deciding to move,
- Have conversations with many people, especially your family and friends.
- Gather details about the destination—understand the reality of living and working there, associated costs, potential jobs, required documents, and likely challenges.
- Prioritize learning about the culture, language and lifestyle of the destination country.
- Seek information from returned migrants, NGOs, Government agency, local authorities, and community organizations to address any information you need related to moving.
2. Abide by the laws and regulations of the country.
- Comply with the laws and regulations of the old and the new place; take official travel document/legal passport and entry Visa for travelling abroad.
Migrating through legal channels increases your chances of receiving protection from both your home country's authorities and those abroad. Irregular migrants face a significantly higher risk of exploitation.
3. Ensure important documents to travel are with you and leave copies of documents!
- Make copies of your passport, visa, work permit, contracts, ID cards and other travel documents.
- Leave copies with family and friends before you leave.
- Put the original copies of these documents in a safe place when you arrive in your destination but keep spare copies with you at all times.
4. Remember to bring additional documents that are important for you.
- Ensure you carry essential documents with you such as educational certificates, medical records, an immunization card (such as a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, upon requirement), and any other necessary document that are important for your or if requested by the host country for international travel.
5. If you are moving for working
- Be cautious of online scammers who use fake job offers, applications, or connections related to refugee immigration to trick people. Stay alert and be careful!
- Avoid non-legalized recruitment agency.
- Make sure the recruitment agency is licensed and has a good reputation. Beware of job offers that come with minimal requirements and promise assistance in obtaining documents; don't fall victim to scammers trying to deceive you!
6. Ensure you have social network.
- Keep in touch with your family and friends to inform them about your situation.
- Identify individuals you can reach out to for assistance.
7. Make sure you are aware of who can provide support in case you experience harm.
- Make a list of important contact details prior to your departure. This includes numbers of your embassy, NGOs, migrant associations, your family, friends and anyone else who might assist you in your host country.
- Leave one copy with your family and take the other with you.
- Always keep these contact details with you.
- Memorize or note down your Embassy or service provider contact information such as Police Hotline or any agency Hotline or Helpline! [2]
Remember that living in another country could be opportunity to find work and earn a better salary with better living condition. Please keep in mind that irregular or unsafe migration are at greater risk of becoming victims of human trafficking, sexual or other exploitation and mistreatment!!!
[1] UNHCRR Mid-Year Trends
[2] ILO Migration tips
https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@asia/@robangkok/documents/publication/wcms_191764.pdf