Using administrative sources and migration databases for statistics generation

1. Using administrative sources and migration databases for statistics generation • IOM Migration Information Systems • UNECE Workshop, Minsk 28-29, 2015 By Zeynal HAJIYEV IOM Belarus Chief of Mission

2. IOM Globally and in Belarus • Established in 1951 (156 Member and 10 Observer States, over 400 field offices); • Belarus joined IOM in 1994 as an observer and and then also as a full fledge member (2005);

3. IOM Globally And in Belarus • IOM acts to: • assist in meeting operational challenges of migration management • Advance understanding of migration issues • Encourage social and economic development through migration • Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants • In Belarus, IOM operates in areas such as: • Migration and Border Management • Combating Trafficking in Human Beings • Migration health / Movements / Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration

4. In this presentation: • Some Important Points • Sources of migration data • Data challenges for migration policy makers • Practical solutions: migration information systems developed by IOM

5. Migration statistics Some Important Points • Despite the belief that in most parts of the world, international migration is strongly regulated, challenges linked with migration are growing; • Accurate data and statistics on international migration are needed to plan for and provide budgetary support to migration related administrative and policy measures; • Accurate data can correct potential misinformation in public debate and policy making regarding migration: “EVIDENCE BASED POLICIES VRS POLICY BIASED EVIDENCES”; • Data on population, including immigrants, is needed primarily for social infrastructure: roads, schools, hospitals, housing.

6. Migration statistics – sources of migration data • Four main sources of migration data available to National Statistics Offices: • Administrative registers, such as population registers, or registers kept on foreigners in the country • Other administrative sources, such as databases created on issuance of work permits, residence permits, or asylum • Border statistics, derived from collection of information at ports of entry into and departure from a country • Household-based inquiries such as population censuses, or other household surveys

7. AVRR statistics through MiMOSA Data challenges for migration policy makers • The availability of migration data is unpredictable and unsystematic; • Accuracy, or how well the data reflects reality, can be difficult to achieve due to a host of factors; • The comprehensiveness of international migration data depends upon the extent to which data is regularly collected and compiled. • Timeliness of data is a crucial factor when crafting migration policies. • Comparability refers to the challenge of establishing common migration terminology and definitions among States. • The issue of confidentiality is an important consideration in the collection and sharing of data.

8. Information Systems developed by IOM • MiMOSA (Migrant Management & Operational System Application) • Displacement tracking • Migrant death report / missing migrant project • MIDAS and its capacities to generate statistics

9. MIMOSA • MiMOSA is a web application developed to streamline migrant processing, improve data quality, security, and reporting • MiMOSA is the global application used by IOM to record migrant biographic and demographic information required for case processing and services for: • Assisted Voluntary Returns, • Counter Trafficking • Medical (health) assessments • Movement activities

10. MiMOSA: Objectives Streamline User Experience --       User friendly screens --       Data entered in one place --       Standardized process Tighten Information Security --       User Roles to manage information access --       Improved Data Validation --       Consolidation of Databases Enhance Reporting --       Rationalize number of reports within the system --       Standard Reporting approach across Activities

11. MIMOSA

12. Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM)

13. Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM)

14. Migrant death report

15. Migrant death report

16. Introduction to MIDAS • IOM’s border management information system (BMIS) • Electronic/IT based system to record information on temporary and permanent migrants • Available to states with no or inadequate border system to equip themselves with tools to manage migration • Affordable, flexible and basic system with some advanced tools like capacity to take biometrics • High-quality performance suitable for installation in remote areas, at all types of ports of entry

17. Why use BMIS/MIDAS? • To support the day-to-day migration process through: • Correlating entry and exit records, identifying those who overstay; • Identifying those on alert/stop lists and preventing entry; • Supporting efforts to enforce international conventions on trans-national crime. • To use travel data to create immigration intelligence in order to: • Evaluate effectiveness of any current policies; • Create new or strengthen existing policies on permanent or temporary migration, on regular and irregular arrivals. • To connect migration, customs, enforcement systems in order to: • Facilitate legitimate travel and trade; • Support comprehensive approach to border management.

18. What is MIDAS? • A BMIS that allows for the collection, processing, storage and dissemination of travelers’ biographic & biometric information • Microsoft-based • Extracts and stores traveler data from Machine Readable Travel documents; supports manual entry as well • Collects and verifies fingerprints • Allows for creation and use of automated alert lists • Allows generation of customized reports, by origin, port of entry or purpose of travel • Can be connected to other national or international systems : • Customs, national police, Interpol • Not a competitor to existing products

19. MIDAS Structure

20. Before/After MIDAS Before MIDAS After MIDAS • Data stored on computer and MIDAS server, shared with HQ, border posts, other domestic agencies • Paper files, no automated transfer or storage • No checking domestic or international alert lists; • manual interactions • Automated data capture and checks of domestic and international alert lists

21. MIDAS Sample Screen

22. What IOM Can Provide • Border Assessments • Installation of MIDAS hardware and software • Border infrastructure • buildings, power supply, furnishings • Equipment at and connections between headquarters and border posts • Workstations • Fingerprint readers, passport scanners • Servers • Connections to other national systems • MIDAS IT expertise • Customization of the software to suit local needs • Languages, style of reports • Post-installation support for a year for minor troubleshooting • Additional post-installation support at cost

23. What IOM Can Provide, cont. • Training and Development • Basic IT skills for border and headquarters officers • Maintenance and support of the hardware and software for IT Administrators • Budgeting and managing IT systems • Assessing costs to maintain the system; maintenance schedules • Using border data to develop migration policy and to manage the border • Risk assessments; creating and using alert lists • Document fraud • Data management, privacy protection

24. MIDAS Installations • MIDAS or some of its components has been installed in 20 countries • 17 in Africa, 1 in South America, 2 in Central Europe • Land, air and sea ports, and headquarters • MIDAS and I/24-7 can connect • MIND devices have been installed at MIDAS border posts in Tanzania, Belize and Djibouti • IOM and INTERPOL have successfully connected the systems, but • Challenges with updating MIND devices in remote locations • More could be done to provide training to deal with “hits”

25. Thank You