With the support of the Western Hemisphere Program, implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) of the U.S. Department of State, the Training on Migration, Human Rights and Humanitarian Action at Borders was held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, for the operational staff of the National Directorate of Border Police Services of the Honduran National Police.

From 26 November to 1 December, 2023, around two hundred officers who provide frontline assistance to migrants at border points and host communities participated in various training sessions given by members of the National Border Service (SENAFRONT) and the National Migration Service of Panama, a country that currently holds the Pro-Tempore Presidency of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM).

This training was based on the training course for the Humanitarian Border Security Unit (USFROH for its Spanish acronym), established in 2021 with the technical support of IOM and the Human Mobility Group of the United Nations System in Panama.

Participants reinforced their knowledge on differentiated identification and protection mechanisms for unaccompanied or separated minors, for LGTBIQ+ people and people with HIV in contexts of mobility, as well as protection and assistance for victims of human trafficking. During the training, other topics such as gender and migration, the Principles of Humanitarian Assistance, psychological first aid, protection and safe referrals were addressed.

"This training and the exchange of experiences strengthen regional capacities to address this migratory flow in a safe, orderly, and regular manner, as dictated by the international organizations that accompany us," said Commissioner Larry Solís, Director of Citizen Security and Civil Affairs of SENAFRONT.

In addition, the Panamanian delegation, composed of officials from SENAFRONT, the National Migration Service and IOM's technical team, toured the Las Manos border post and the Center for Attention to Irregular Migrants (CAMI for its Spanish acronym) in Danlí, at the border between Honduras and Nicaragua.

"A well-coordinated border management takes into account the principles of humanity and solidarity towards people who leave everything behind and embark on this path to achieve their dreams," said Idiam Osorio, IOM's National Migration Management Officer in Panama. "Spaces like this are, without a doubt, essential for States to infallibly and comprehensively manage migration across their borders," she added.

Watch the video summary here.

For more information, contact IOM Panama's communications team at iompanama@iom.int.