In 1988, IOM was created in Guatemala by Government Agreement to assist at the operational level in resetting populations displaced during 36 years of Internal Conflict. Today, IOM is a source of advice on national and municipal policies on human mobility. In addition, it supports the government to facilitate humanitarian assistance to migrants in vulnerable situations and during emergencies.

OUR WORK IN GUATEMALA

In 2023, IOM is developing projects to strengthen the capacities of the government and municipalities to better respond to the challenges that migration presents us, assisting during the return and reintegration processes and creating conditions for development in communities with high emigration rates.

In partnership with NGOs, IOM manages information and data on migration, encourages Communication for Development (C4D), ensures the physical and psychosocial well-being of migrants, accompanies the development of women and girls, provides humanitarian assistance during migratory transit, encourages orderly labor migration and addresses the causes of displacement driven by climate change effects.

IOM Guatemala operates field offices in Huehuetenango, San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, and Quiché departments; on the Tecún Umán border. It works in coordination with the government, civil society, and other United Nations agencies at the MRCs located in Santa Elena, Petén, and the city of Quetzaltenango, where it provides information and referrals on public services.

MAIN COUNTERPARTS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Education

Ministry of Labor

Guatemalan Institute of Migration

Secretariat of Social Welfare of the Presidency

Municipalities

Casas del Migrante

The organization has priority action areas whose transversal axes are the defense and promotion of migrants' human rights, the inclusion of diverse populations, the maintenance of cultural and linguistic diversity, and the encouragement of gender equality.

IOM also has permanent personnel stationed at the Reception Center for Returned Populations, located in the Guatemalan Air Force, in the 13th zone, in Guatemala City; and at the Reception Center in the city of Tecún Umán, Ayutla, in San Marcos to deliver humanitarian assistance and referral services information.

SOME OF IOM’S FUNDING SOURCES

Government of the United States of America

IOM Development Fund (IDF)

Government of Japan

Government of Canada

Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs

UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF)

Generalitat of Catalunya

CONTACT

IOM office in Guatemala City

Avenida la Reforma, Edificio Reforma 10, 9-55, zona 10

e-mail: iomguatemala@iom.int

Edificio Oficentro 6-22, nivel 3, oficina 308, zona 3, Quetzaltenango City

Phone: +502 7824-1698