Integrated Border Management

As the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is increasingly called upon by its member states to assist in addressing complex and emerging border and migration management challenges.

The Immigration and Border Management (IBM) Team, comprising of a core group of specialists with substantial technical expertise, strong border management backgrounds and experience, posted to strategic locations in the field internationally as well as in IOM headquarters and IOM Regional offices has been established to offer guidance and expertise to governments aspiring to improve their migration, border management and operational procedures.

IBM activities in the East and Horn of Africa Region are focused at helping governments develop and create policy, legislation, administrative structures, and operational systems and provide the human resources necessary to respond effectively to diverse migration challenges and to institute appropriate migration governance, especially in emerging contexts such as trade and migration, health and migration, One stop border posts, transnational organised crime, with a specific focus migrant smuggling, human trafficking, document integrity and border management information systems-BMIS

Such activities are planned and created in partnership with the requesting IOM member state and other international key stakeholders, public enterprises and interlocutors working closely with the IBM Team to identify needs, determine priority, identify risk areas, and form and deliver interventions. 

Criminal activities on the high seas are increasing at an alarming rate and becoming more complex, the threats to human life (Migrant smuggling and human trafficking using vessels and sea routes to avoid detection id increasing), impact on national and regional security,  and the overall influence it has on the economic development of the region cannot be understated.

In support of safe, orderly and regular movement of goods and persons, the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Immigration and Border Management (IBM) Division supports Member States in the enhancement of maritime security by providing technical guidance on appropriate policies, legislation, administrative structures and operational systems.

IBM activities within the East and Horn of Africa region include:

• Ongoing Border Assessments
• Development of member states border and government agencies capacities within the realm of Identity Management and Civil Registration
• Training and Capacity building programs on migration management, border controls
• Travel document and related issuance systems
• Travel document inspection-PEPM
• Data management, biometrics support and risk analysis
• Visa Policy Development
• Integrated Border Management
• Ports of Entry response during Pandemics
• Transnational organized crime and counter migrant smuggling, human trafficking and humanitarian border management-Land, Sea, and Air.

IOM’s Immigration and Border Management Division fully supports the implementation of the Global Compact on Migration and the Sustainable Development goals, specifically: 

Global Compact on Migration

Objective 1: Collect and utilize accurate and disaggregated data as a basis for evidence-based policies.

Objective 9: Strengthen the transnational response to smuggling of migrants.

Objective 11: Manage borders in an integrated, secure and coordinated manner.

Sustainable Development Goals

Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.

Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.

Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flow, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.

Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.