- July 10, 2024
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Autodesk Software Donation Supports IOM Design for Communities in Need
Designed using Autodesk software, IOM’s Bamboo Treatment Facility in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh enhances the quality of bamboo building materials, making shelters stronger and safer, to support the Rohingya refugee response. Photo: IOM/ Nate Webb.
Autodesk recently donated 3.2 million USD in software licenses to IOM through its Technology Impact Program, enabling enhanced design capability and operational support for communities in need. The licenses are instrumental in advancing IOM shelter and settlements initiatives globally.
The in-kind contribution consists of hundreds of licenses from the Autodesk Architecture Engineering & Construction Collection. This is the largest donation since the IOM – Autodesk partnership began in 2018. The donation is made possible through collaboration of Autodesk with USA for IOM, IOM’s nonprofit partner in the United States.
The Autodesk software licenses significantly boost IOM’s operational and design capacity to support the delivery of humanitarian programs across more than 30 countries, where more than 200 IOM staff are using Autodesk products; expansion in programming has necessitated additional licenses.
“The private sector offers unique expertise and resources and has an essential role to play in tackling humanitarian challenges. Partnerships with the private sector are key to forward innovation in our efforts to drive solutions to displacement,” said Luciano Arroio, USA for IOM Head of Operations.
“The Autodesk contribution supports the timely and safe delivery of assistance to migrants and displaced populations worldwide and facilitates expansion of IOM’s operational and technical capacity.
IOM staff rely on Autodesk software in planning and implementation of construction projects, including Shelter and Settlements programming; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and for disaster risk management. Autodesk tools support staff to design safe and sustainable shelters, improve mapping and design quality, and facilitate communication between project stakeholders.
In Bangladesh, where IOM leads site planning in camps supporting Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Autodesk tools contribute to site and infrastructure development for effective humanitarian response.
In Ukraine, IOM Shelter & Housing Unit staff use Autodesk software on a daily basis to facilitate rehabilitation and construction projects for internally displaced persons.
In addition to the donated licenses, IOM received hands on support from Autodesk through collaboration on the delivery of technical training in humanitarian site planning.
For more information please contact:
Email: info@usaforiom.org
An Isolation and Treatment Center, designed by IOM using Autodesk software, constructed in a camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, supports health care in the Rohingya refugee response. Photo: IOM/ Abdullah Al Mashrif
- May 14, 2024
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A letter from our CEO Maria Moreno - A Grateful Goodbye: Celebrating Our Achievements Together
Dear reader,
As I conclude my tenure at USA for IOM, I want to express my profound gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to and lead our organization during a period of significant transformation over the past 12 years. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together.
Facilitated by your generosity, this organization that we have developed together has grown beyond what we could imagine, expanding our reach to assist and impact vulnerable people and migrants around the globe.
We have mobilized action to support numerous impactful projects driven by IOM, from responding to humanitarian crises in various countries to fostering entrepreneurship among migrants and local communities, and supporting victims of human trafficking. Our programs have not only facilitated recovery but have also built resilience across communities.
Our commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by our dedication to transparency, accountability, and effective governance. The organization has earned recognition for its compliance and transparency, enhancing trust and support from our donors, funders, and partners. This has been crucial in ensuring the sustainability and ongoing positive impact of our work, positioning us as a leader in the nonprofit sector.
As I step down from my role today, I am confident that USA for IOM will continue to achieve new heights. Our dedicated Board of Directors and Staff are committed to advancing our mission, highlighting critical migration issues, and mobilizing support that yields tangible improvements in the lives of migrants.
I am grateful for the exceptional partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM-UN Migration). Looking forward to, USA for IOM will continue to support IOM and Director General Amy Pope’s vision to position migration as a catalyst for human development and global prosperity.
I will continue to be an advocate for people on the move, as we together create opportunities for migrants, refugees, and those in crisis, to build on the promise of migration. The importance of addressing migration issues has never been more critical.
Thank you for your support and collaboration throughout my journey with USA for IOM.
Best regards,
Maria Moreno
Best regards,
Maria Moreno
- February 29, 2024
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Entrepreneurship as Opportunity to Integrate Migrant Youth Highlighted at Key Stakeholder Roundtable
Young migrant entrepreneurs sat with key stakeholders during a roundtable in Washington D.C., today and addressed the value of strengthening the entrepreneurial capacity of migrants and young people to build more socio-economically resilient communities.
Participants emphasized the powerful impact that entrepreneurship programs have had in integrating young people into communities in Latin America and the Caribbean and enhancing their economic productivity. Both public and private sector representatives offered ideas on their participation to expand regional entrepreneurial programming for migrants and host communities.
“Entrepreneurship, in addition to an economic opportunity, is an educational experience, a tool in youth’s survival tool kit. Through entrepreneurship talent moves freely, as young, global-minded individuals contribute to the creation of a barrier-free world through their endeavors,” said Federico Arellano, a young entrepreneur from Mexico now based in Canada, who began Pitch Jams, a software company that allows a worldwide exchange of ideas.
Roundtable participants included representatives of civil society, multilateral banks, agencies, foundations, private sector, the Summit of the Americas secretariat and Permanent Missions to the Organization of American States (OAS) and development community actors. This Roundtable event titled “Youth on the Move: Youth Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Socio-Economic Integration of Migrants and Refugees”, was organized by the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) and USA for IOM.
“We embrace the invaluable role and engagement of youth as strategic partners in the Summits Process. By actively involving you – the youth in our endeavors, we pave the way for a profound impact that extends to all corners of our hemisphere. Together, we embark on a journey of collaboration, planting the seeds of partnerships that hold the promise of blossoming into collective efforts,” said María Celina Conte, Director of the Summits of the Americas Secretariat, OAS, who opened the session.
“Youth entrepreneurship initiatives have proven positive impacts on youths and communities to spur growth and investment,” said Luis Viguria, CEO of Young Americas Business Trust. “This holds true in programming with young migrant entrepreneurs, who can use their unique talents to benefit their new communities.
The roundtable discussion explored enhancing strategy, programming and partnerships for development, with aim to incorporate migrants and refugees into local economies, thereby sharing knowledge and skills and creating new market opportunities and cross-border networks. Participants also highlighted how entrepreneurship can directly contribute to addressing the consequences of large movements of forcibly displaced people.
“Collaboration across sectors is essential to enhance the impact of efforts to promote economic opportunities for migrant populations,” said María Moreno, CEO of USA for IOM. “Investment in entrepreneurship has great potential to accelerate the integration of migrants in host communities and create long-term solutions.”
Discussion moderator Francisco Martínez, IOM Economic Reintegration Officer, emphasized the importance of reinforcing the technical capacities and soft skills of migrants to facilitate their entrepreneurial endeavors and integration.
The discussions fostered stronger linkages between the migrant community and the upcoming Young Americas Forum at the 2024 Summit of the Americas. This alignment is facilitated through support of both the public and private sectors.
Economic opportunities for migrant populations are critical to support livelihoods and contribute to host communities. This holds true in the Americas, as following the crisis in Venezuela, 7.7 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees are living outside their country; more than 6.5 million Venezuelans reside in Latin America and the Caribbean.
USA for IOM and YABT are organizing the “Innovation Challenge: Youth on the Move” a regional innovation competition that will provide financial skills training, opportunities for seed capital and will identify, support, and accelerate innovative ideas and new business models driven by young people. The competition and training offered aim to strengthen host communities of the Venezuelan migrant, refugee, and displaced population in Ecuador, Dominican Republic and Peru, for this first edition of the program.
For more information, please contact:
Edgar Maestre at YABT: edgar.maestre@yabt.net
Luciano Arroio at USA for IOM: larroio@iom.int
Photos: © USA for IOM, by Liliana Serrano @ Serrano Studios DC
- January 7, 2024
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USA for IOM mourns the passing of its former chairman, Mr. James N. Purcell Jr.
Mr. Purcell dedicated his career to championing the United States Refugee Admissions Program as well as multilateral cooperation on migration issues across the globe. He served as US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Affairs from 1983 to 1986 and then as Director General of IOM from 1988 to 1998.
Mr. Purcell was actively involved in the leadership of USA for IOM for more than three decades, including as Chairman of the Board, a role from which he retired from in 2022.
He took immense pride in USA for IOM’s growth in leveraging the value of U.S. private sector and capturing the American people’s interest in humanitarian affairs and IOM’s mission to uphold the dignity and rights of migrants worldwide.
Recognized as a mentor, leader, humanitarian legend and advocate for migrants until his last days, he will be sincerely missed.
“Throughout Jim’s long and storied career, he was a tireless advocate for migrants and refugees,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Long after he left IOM, he continued to lend his voice to support in the United States for the work of IOM, including as Chairman of the Board of Directors for USA for IOM. I will always be grateful for his counsel to IOM and to me personally, and for his kindness.”
James N. Purcell Jr. authored the book “We’re in DANGER! Who Will HELP Us? Refugees and Migrants: A Test of Civilization” (2019). The book is a history of events and teamwork among members of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Refugee Programs and its protection and resettlement programs, domestic and with international cooperation.
At the request of Mr. Purcell’s family, fulfilling his wish, in his memory donations can be made to USA for IOM to support its mission to raise awareness about our global priorities: climate change, poverty, conflict, counter-trafficking, and the socio-economic integration of migrants.
- December 18, 2023
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The UN’s PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival Recognizes Videos of Outstanding Young Filmmakers in its 2023 Ceremony
New York — On Friday, 15 December, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced the 2023 recipients of their joint initiative, the PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival, during an annual ceremony that took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
A total of 24 films from 18 countries were selected for distinctions by UNAOC and IOM as well as 20 partner organizations based on their powerful and thought-provoking impact related to the themes of migration, diversity and social inclusion. The films originated from Belgium, Brazil, Republic of Cameroon, France, Germany, Guatemala, Iraq, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, and the United States of America.
During his welcoming remarks, Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC, emphasized how PLURAL+ has become a global platform for fostering the humanistic values of “empathy, understanding, compassion, respect and human dignity…”
“PLURAL+ has a soft spot in my heart. I love all forms of human expressions, especially those expressed through film. Filmmaking is the extraordinary alchemy of capturing emotions, weaving stories and most of all shaping perspectives. It’s the magical realm where the power of imagination meets the art of creation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s Deputy Director-General for Operations, praised the young recipients of the 2023 edition of PLURAL+, reminding youth worldwide of the pluralism that defines us and the strength that comes from our differences.
Applauding young filmmakers for creatively addressing the topics of migration and the contribution of migrants into society, social inclusion, diversity and the combating of xenophobia and discrimination, Ms. Daniels noted that “Each film encapsulates a unique perspective, a tale, or a message that transcends boundaries. These short films are not merely cinematic creations; they are powerful narratives that ignite conversations, foster empathy, and challenge our perceptions of the world,” she added.
“Art is the language of connection,” reflected Jessy Terrero, one of the International Jury members. at the USA for IOM reception celebrating the 15th edition of the PLURAL+. “I was not happy playing parts that reinforced negative stereotypes on the screen and I did not see people who looked like me on the set. That realization is what inspired me to become a filmmaker,” he added, inviting PLURAL+ recipients to continue using art and challenge stereotypes.
The young filmmakers selected for their outstanding videos were honoured and acknowledged in the presence of UN officials, youth stakeholders, as well as representatives of media and civil society.
The recipients of the PLURAL+ 2023 International Jury Recognition (Up to 12 Years Old Category) were represented by Mr. Bastein Martin from Belgium for their short film “Bob le Petit Éléphant”, which tells the story of an elephant named “Bob” who wonders why he is so small and why nature has given him such a long trunk.
Ms. Yein Han from the Republic of Korea was the recipient of the PLURAL+2023 International Jury Recognition (13–17 Years Old Category) for her short film “Letters from Us” that captures the sacrifices made by migrants and their families when they move away from their homelands.
The recipient of the PLURAL+2023 International Jury Recognition (18–25 Years Old Category), Mr. Taleabong Boris Alemnge from the Republic of Cameroon, was acknowledged for his spoken word film “Arts and Arms”, which calls for an inclusive and peaceful settlement of grievances through diplomacy as opposed to armed conflict.
The recipients of the PLURAL+2023 Special Recognition for Combating Xenophobia and Discrimination were represented by Mr. Thiago Gomes from Brazil for the music video “Eu Não Sou Bandido”, which depicts the realities of many who suffer racism and xenophobia every day.
Tai Tanzania from the United Republic of Tanzania, represented by Ms. Nuria Madawili, was the recipient of the PLURAL+2023 Special Recognition for Sport for One Humanity for the short film “Najiamini”, which aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by students with physical disabilities.
The recipients of the PLURAL+2023 Special Recognition for Migrants Contributions to Societies were represented by Ms. Manon Sabrier-Gesrel from France for a short film “Derrière les Mots”, which underlines that behind the prejudices, stereotypes and words associated with migrants, there are real individuals with stories, aspirations and valuable contributions to make to society.
All of the PLURAL+ videos are now available online on the PLURAL+ website and will be disseminated worldwide. To view the selected videos, please visit: https://pluralplus.unaoc.org/plural2023/
Should you have any questions, please contact Ms. Rahma Soliman, Media and Communications Officer at IOM Office to the UN, rsoliman@iom.int or +1-212-681-7000 (ext. 210) and Mr. Dogan Asik Strategic Partnerships Consultant at UNAOC at dogana@unops.org or +1-212-963-7158.
- November 15, 2023
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First ever cross-border film festival to spark essential migration conversations
Both Northern Mexico and Southern Texas face unprecedented migration challenges. Finding innovative ways to build understanding and to create solutions across borders is critical. This November, IOM Mexico joins with USA for IOM in presenting the first-ever Global Migration Film Festival (GMFF) to be hosted in both Mexico and the United States.
The groundbreaking event will take place in El Paso, Texas, with the collaboration of the Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso on November 15th at the Philanthropy Theater / The Plaza Theater at 5:30 pm. The feature movie, “Home is Somewhere Else,” is written and directed by Carlos Hagerman and Jorge Villalobos. The film shares three heartwarming stories of young people sharing their fears and hopes of living in the United States, told through animation and featuring the actual voices of the migrants behind the stories. The event is free and open to the public. After the screening, there will be a dialogue with IOM Chief of Mission Dana Graber Ladek and film director Jorge Villalobos on the significance of empathetic narratives about migrants.
“Through the GMFF, we aspire to honor and celebrate the genuine contributions migrants make to receiving communities. Films have the power to humanize migrant stories and to help people think about them as agents of positive change,” says Dana Graber Ladek, IOM Chief of Mission in Mexico.
The El Paso event is part of a multi-day Global Migration Film Festival (GMFF) hosted by IOM Mexico, which includes eight films to be shown in 14 cities around Mexico. The festival is co-sponsored by USA for IOM. IOM has been organizing Global Migration Film Festivals across the world since 2016. The main objective of these festivals is to leverage the power of cinema to enhance people’s understanding of the migration process and to counteract hate speech and xenophobia directed towards migrants.
For more information please contact:
In Mexico, acabezas@iom.int, +52 55 4525 8361
In the USA: Stacey Cohan, scohan@iom.int, + 1 202 445 9344
Election of USA for IOM Board Officers
- October 23, 2023
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Election of USA for IOM Board Officers
USA for IOM announces the appointment of our new Board Officers who will guide our nonprofit organization into its next chapter to further enhance awareness and spur action and investment for migration initiatives. The role, vision, and insights of our Board Members are pivotal to forward the USA for IOM mission, both in governance and financial stewardship.
USA for IOM celebrates the appointment of:
Chair of the Board of Directors, Suzanne Sheldon, was voted in by fellow Board Members. Suzanne Sheldon is a diplomat, lawyer, rule of law and migration policy expert, and Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of State. Her work has included U.S.-supported life-saving assistance to refugees and vulnerable migrants and leading the team in IOM’s New York office (2017-2019) that supported UN member states on the Global Compact for Migration. She will become the Chair effective November 1st, 2023.
Treasurer of the Board of Directors, Dr. Ranit Mishori, is a recognized physician leader and health expert, working at the intersection of medicine, public and global health and human rights. With expertise in the health consequences of conflict and forced migration, she is a scholar on issues related to migration and health. Dr. Mishori currently serves as Georgetown University’s Vice President and Chief Public Health Officer. With her experience in overseeing budgets, and handling financial responsibilities while serving on multiple boards, she is well qualified for the Treasurer position
Secretary of the Board of Directors, Dr. Bobbi Wegner is an experienced psychologist, international speaker, author and advisor focused on helping individuals and organizations feel and work their best together. She is the founder and CEO of Groops which brings experts in group and organizational psychology to the office on an affordable, subscription basis to be accessible to teams across the organization. Dr. Wegner also teaches Motivation, Groups and Culture, and Applied Coaching at Harvard University.
USA for IOM expresses gratitude for the dedicated service of Luca Dall’Oglio who served as Chair of the Board of Directors. He is a retired international civil servant who worked with IOM for more than 30 years, most recently serving as Chief of Mission at IOM Washington.
We also want to thank Peter Schatzer, Permanent Observer of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean to the UN (Vienna), and long-standing Board Member of USA for IOM, for his service to the Board for more than 12 years. The Board and the entire USA for IOM team extend gratitude for his dedicated service and commitment towards our mission. He previously served IOM for 24 years in various leadership positions.
USA for IOM extends its gratitude to all of our Board Members, whose collective expertise and leadership greatly enhance our efforts, especially during these times of multiple global crises. As we welcome our Board Officers into their new roles, we acknowledge the weighty responsibilities they undertake. With full confidence, we believe their leadership will be instrumental to the continued growth and impact of USA for IOM.
In tandem with our recent significant expansions and our contributions to IOM’s pivotal priorities, we are also eager to grow our board further. Actively seeking new Board Members who resonate with our values and mission will infuse our organization with fresh insights and renewed energy. Their diverse experiences and commitment will be vital as we aim to address the world’s pressing challenges more effectively.
The USA for IOM Board of Directors
Welcoming Dr. Ranit Mishori, new USA for IOM Board Member
- September 15, 2023
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Welcoming Dr. Ranit Mishori, new USA for IOM Board Member
USA for IOM is proud to announce that Dr. Ranit Mishori has joined our Board of Directors.
Dr. Mishori is a recognized physician leader and health expert, working at the intersection of medicine, public and global health and human rights. With over two decades of experience and expertise in the health consequences of conflict and forced migration, she is a recognized leader and scholar on issues related to migration and health.
< Dr. Ranit Mishori
“As a granddaughter of refugees and a migrant myself, I feel connected in multiple ways to the experience of immigrants and displaced people in their home or host country (or somewhere in between),” said Dr. Mishori.
Dr. Mishori currently serves as Georgetown University’s Vice President and Chief Public Health Officer where she oversees the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases and public health emergencies. As a member of the senior leadership team she provides strategic advice and technical expertise to all units and divisions across all campuses.
Pre-pandemic, Dr. Mishori was deeply engaged in research, teaching, mentorship and clinical care as Professor of Family Medicine at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. She directed the department’s Global Health Initiatives for over 8 years, directed the Health Policy fellowship, established and directed the Health and Media Fellowship, and led Georgetown’s Practice-Based Research Network, among other academic leadership roles.
Dr. Mishori brings a social justice and human rights lens to all her professional pursuits. From an early start as a journalist covering wars and the plight of refugees for global news organizations, she has been focused on the far-reaching impact of conflict, and ways to relieve related suffering. She continues to report and write on health and medicine, publishing more than 300 articles in the popular media, and more than 80 peer-reviewed health-related articles. As a physician and advocate, she is widely recognized for her research on and work with forced migrants, torture survivors, asylum seekers and people affected by conflict-related sexual violence, particularly as Senior Medical Advisor at Physicians for Human Rights.
Dr. Mishori’s leadership roles are numerous. A Diplomate and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians – the largest single specialty professional organization in the US – Dr. Mishori has been a deeply engaged leader and advisor on initiatives spanning primary care, global health, human rights, population and community health for a multiple US-based and global organizations.
We extend a warm welcome to Dr. Mishori.
- September 15, 2023
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Creating Sustainable Solutions to Recovery with the Ukrainian Diaspora
Ukrainians across the United States are determined to build a better future for their home country.
Beyond providing lifesaving aid since the start of the war, Ukrainian-Americans seek long-term solutions on the road to recovery. Together with partners, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), USA for IOM, and the U.S. Government are actively providing support to the needs on the ground and are prioritizing the innovative strategies being created to fill humanitarian gaps.
As part of their Diaspora Voices and Ukraine Partnership Series initiatives, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships (GP) held a roundtable event on September 13th with U.S.-based Ukrainian diaspora organizations. The event was a collaboration between GP, IOM, USA for IOM, USAID, and the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States, with the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center (UECC).
During the event at the UECC in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, the Ukrainian diaspora’s vital contributions supporting communities affected by the ongoing war were recognized. The discussion focused on the strengths and experiences of the diaspora organizations, the capacities of government and nongovernmental actors to help sustain existing efforts, continued collaboration and mutual long-term goals for Ukraine. The need to strengthen private sector engagement was recognized as essential to creating long-term solutions.
The critical importance of local actors was emphasized, as was the need for Ukrainians to ‘take back the narrative’ of the war and to tell the personal stories of those affected. Donations have decreased dramatically since the first months of the war, and by showcasing the direct human impact and stories of resilience, the attendees are hopeful the American public will understand why support to populations affected by the conflict continues to be a priority.
The Ukrainian organizations present at the event have extensive experience in providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including sourcing and sending medical kits and other supplies, and traveling to Ukraine themselves to provide direct support to hospitals, schools and other local organizations. These powerful civil society groups are highly motivated to coordinate with large-scale actors to most effectively support ongoing programs that benefit Ukrainian communities.
With over 5.1 million internally displaced persons in Ukraine, there are multiple urgent challenges to be addressed. Roundtable participants discussed steps to recovery, including rebuilding infrastructure, and addressing the collective trauma of Ukrainians and post-traumatic stress disorder, which is widespread.
Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, IOM has refocused its programs and projects, and from February 2022 to March 2023 reached close to three million people with humanitarian support that includes provision of non-food and hygiene items; water, sanitation and hygiene support; multipurpose cash; emergency health and mental health and psychosocial support; assistance to collective centers; protection and other types of support. IOM’s Mission in Ukraine further fights trafficking in human beings, assists the Government in dealing with irregular migration, improving its migration management system, and creating migrant-inclusive health practices and policies. Click here to learn more about IOM’s work in Ukraine.
More than 463,000 people affected by the Ukraine conflict have received multisectoral support through USA for IOM support to IOM’s emergency response. The response focuses on providing shelter, healthcare, cash assistance and immediate basic needs for conflict-affected populations. These include IDPs, host communities and stranded third-country nationals.
IOM engages with diaspora communities globally as part of the 3E Strategy of Engaging, Enabling and Empowering diasporas. To meet the increasing needs arising from multiple crises worldwide, IOM’s work with diasporas not only expands the reach of humanitarian action but leverages their skills and networks, puts agency back into the hands of affected communities, and helps to build more sustainable, long-term solutions to crisis situations.
To learn more about opportunities to partner, contact USA for IOM at usaforiom@iom.int or IOM Ukraine at SMUKRcfm@iom.int. To learn more about IOM’s work and initiatives with diasporas, contact IOM Washington’s Diaspora Engagement Unit at diasporaforhumanity@iom.int.
- June 29, 2023
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Jose: "My job is to create dishes that fusion cultures."
José Antonio Bustamante Ortuño is an accountant who managed restaurants in Venezuela. For three years now, he has created a true fusion of cultures through recipes and original meals from his business: Cheo Fast Food.
José is convinced that sometimes life guides us on a path quite different from the one we envisioned, but these detours can lead us to our true destiny. Fifteen years ago, he achieved a seemingly impossible goal, moving to Australia where he unexpectedly ended up studying international gastronomy. This training served him in ways he had never imagined when he decided to migrate to Peru with his family. Although he anticipated challenges establishing his food business, the most difficult obstacle would be having to start over as he adjusted to a new culture. “Thanks to IOM”, he tells us, “I was able to sustain the business and move forward. They helped me and trained me to promote my entrepreneurship, because due to the pandemic, my business was paralyzed, to the point that me and my family of two children, my wife and mother-in-law, were left on the street. I have to say that, even with that incredible help and training, it took us a year to start and get to what Cheo Fast Food is today.”
Cheo Fast Food combines Japanese gastronomy recipes with Peruvian food, using the indigenous products of the region, such as pisco or quinoa, with original sandwiches of his own creation. The business caters to what the people of the host country like, while also attracting customers of other nationalities who choose to live in that Peru. “But always taking of the typical ingredients and gastronomic resources of Peru”, he shares with us. “It’s not easy to sustain a business in a country where there are always new things to discover, but today I feel proud of my creations and of being a person who is dedicated to investigating everything that this country contributes that is healthy, original and innovative in the field of gastronomy to merge it with typical recipes from other cultures. Always with a completely healthy and artisan style of cooking, such as whole meal bread made with sourdough and highly nutritious Peruvian flours directly from origin.”
For José, there is a clear difference in his business model before the aid and training provided by IOM, and after he completed the program. Learning how to enhance his business organization, how to produce profits, and how to best invest in products proved invaluable lessons as he seeks to grow his venture. “I would also like to highlight the importance of mentoring for personal and professional development. They are an essential accompaniment to recovering the strengths we had when we made the decision to change countries. I was lucky enough to be able to do both editions, and the truth is that sometimes because of work I think I don’t need it, or not realize to what extent the state of mind influences the resistance and creativity that I put into my business.”
