A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Dear readers,
In 2022, conflict, insecurity, and the effects of climate change heavily contributed to forced migration both within countries and across borders. USA for IOM rose to this challenge with rapid growth and funding mobilization. Outstanding partners joined foundations and individuals to provide record-breaking contributions to the IOM response in Ukraine. We witnessed our expanded reach through first-hand work in Central & South America and through hosted visits from IOM mission representatives from around the world. Our partnerships also contributed to USA for IOM’s key priorities globally: assisting individuals displaced by the impacts of climate change, helping those escaping complex emergencies and economic instability, and protecting and assisting victims of human trafficking.
This Impact Report is dedicated to the many foundations, private partners, and the American people whose compassion and generosity enabled USA for IOM to meet 2022’s unique and demanding challenges. Our commitment to promote humane opportunities for migrants worldwide is inspired by both the people we assist and those individuals and entities who make our work possible through their solidarity and support. We look forward to new and continued partnerships in 2023.
With gratitude,
LOOKING FORWARD
Luca Dall'Oglio, Chairman of the Board
BOARD ENGAGEMENT
CHAIRMAN
Luca Dall’Oglio
Retired International Civil Servant
DIRECTORS
Andrew Michaels III
Advocate for vulnerable populations
Dominick Muracco III
Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Hertz
Tolu Olubunmi
Social Entrepreneur, Special Appointee to the United Nations and CEO of Lions Write
Anne Richard
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration
Peter Schatzer
Permanent Observer of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean to the UN (Vienna)
Suzanne Sheldon
Senior Advisor for the U.S. Department of State; Attorney and former Director, Department of State/PRM Office of International Migration
Scott Tranter
Data Scientist, Advisor at Decision Desk HQ and adjunct Professor at American University
Carol Vittert
Advocate for vulnerable populations
Bobbi Wegner
Clinical Psychologist and Lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
James N. Purcell Jr.
Former Director General at IOM and former Assistant Secretary of State, State Department’s Bureau for Refugee Programs
Arthur “Gene” Dewey
Former Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration
BOARD OBSERVERS
Vincent Houver
Chief of Mission, IOM Washington
Gregoire Goodstein
Chief, Donor Relations Division, IOM
IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS
Nearly $4.8M raised, 2/3 of which was directed to programs assisting the almost 18 million people in need affected by the conflict in Ukraine
25,000+ migrants impacted by USA for IOM funding in 2022
1,500+ humanitarian kits with medical supplies delivered to migrants braving the Darién Gap – one of the world’s most dangerous crossings.
3,000+ new individual donors partnered with USA for IOM in 2022
3,000+ job opportunities created across South America and the Caribbean
1,000+ migrants impacted by entrepreneurial training and seed funding from EiM – investing in migrant integration can increase GDP in host countries by 2030.
Collaborated with 25 IOM offices and missions to mobilize global support for migrants in 2022
100+ Venezuelan doctors and nurses assisted in getting their medical credentials recognized in their new countries
GLOBAL RESPONSE
UKRAINE
February 24, 2022, marked the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine and an urgent new priority for USA for IOM. Thanks to our champions*, USA for IOM’s call to action brought thousands of new donors and resources to fund IOM’s emergency response in Ukraine. In October, Anh Nguyen, IOM Chief of Mission, visited Washington, D.C. for a situational update to describe how donations are being used to provide shelter, healthcare, and cash assistance to the more than 6 million people displaced in Ukraine and neighboring countries. USA for IOM contributed more than $2M to address mental health and immediate basic needs of Internally displaced persons, host communities, and stranded third country nationals, through mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and multipurpose cash assistance in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
In order to get much-needed clothing and supplies into the hands of displaced Ukrainians, USA for IOM supported innovative supply chain solutions by working quickly and collaboratively with the Ukrainian government and private and public sector entities to establish a digitized warehouse.
This new, e-commerce marketplace has the potential to provide 1.5M items of clothing to help 40,000 families.
*On March 9, 2022, the Obama Foundation alerted its donor community to IOM’s work highlighting the urgent need for mobilized humanitarian support in Ukraine.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND INNOVATION AWARENESS
In March 2022, USA for IOM partnered with the local offices in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia to collaborate on a climate change response as the impact of the unprecedented drought quickly emerged as a regional priority. More than one million people have been internally displaced in Somalia alone, many traveling for days on foot in search of clean water and food. Our team is inspired both by the endurance of East Africans struggling to cope with some of the worst climate consequences our planet has experienced to date and by the dedication of regional IOM staff. During an August visit to Washington, D.C., Mohammed Abdiker, IOM’s Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa, collaborated with our team to develop innovative solutions to address the impact of climate change. This new partnership was highlighted in our Water & Warmth #GivingTuesday campaign and will continue to drive funding priorities for 2023.
GLOBAL ASSISTANCE FUND (GAF)
IOM’s Global Assistance Fund offers immediate protection and direct assistance to vulnerable migrants around the globe. In June 2022, USA for IOM directed $50,000 to the GAF, enabling IOM to continue its direct assistance operations in support of vulnerable migrants across the world. USA for IOM has long been a contributor to the GAF. Our funding has allowed GAF to assist migrants in extreme situations identified in over 20 IOM offices worldwide. In 2022, GAF contributions were directed to four IOM offices supporting 14 beneficiaries including single mothers in Ukraine, victims of sexual violence in Iraq, and Entrepreneurship in Movement (EiM) programming in the Americas.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN MOVEMENT (EiM)
USA for IOM is inspired by the resilience of Venezuelan migrants and their host communities after another successful year of the Entrepreneurship in Movement program. Established to provide training in business skills, social mentorship, and seed funding, EiM has become a catalyst to support migrants’ goals of financial independence and socioeconomic integration. In Ecuador, EiM supports beneficiaries like Crismar Hernandez, a Venezuelan migrant living in Cuenca. Thanks to EiM and a great deal of self-determination, Crismar has gone from selling her baked goods in the streets to owning “Criscar” – Crismar’s new restaurant named after both of her sons – and her delicious recipes have been published locally.
GENDER EQUITY
Thousands of migrants continue to embark on a dangerous journey through the Darién Gap every day, a majority of whom are women and children. With the support of IOM Panama, we have distributed more than 1,500 humanitarian kits including feminine hygiene products and medical supplies. In November – at the Gender Lens Investing Forum in Latin America in Guatemala – CEO Maria Moreno reinforced that close to half of the people traveling lethal migratory routes are women, and programs seeking to uplift and protect migrants in the region must consider gender inclusive programming.
USA FOR IOM PARTNERS
USA for IOM is grateful to our partners who make our work possible.
- – Anonymous
- – Autodesk Foundation
- – Citi Foundation
- – GlobalGiving
- – Harvard Data Science Review (HDSR)
- – Mr. Hugh Jackman and Ms. Deborra-Lee Furness
- – Individual donors
- – John Hopkins University (JHU)
- – Marriott Foundation
- – Meta Platforms
- – Open Society Foundations
- – The PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival (UNAOC and IOM)
- – Shapiro Foundation
- – UNA-NCA – United Nations Association of the United States of America, National Capital Area Chapter
- – UNIQLO
- – YABT – Young Americas Business Trust
PARTNERSHIP HIGHLIGHT
Entrepreneurship in Movement
As a result of an ongoing humanitarian crisis encompassing political turmoil and socioeconomic instability, nearly 7 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees have been displaced globally. More than 5 million now reside in neighboring Latin American and Caribbean countries still facing migration challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as inaccessible health care, protections, and social safety nets as well as barriers to employment and income-generating opportunities.
In the face of the largest displacement of people in the history of Latin America, USA for IOM has partnered with the Citi Foundation to create a solution: Entrepreneurship in Movement (EiM).
EiM’s implementation in the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador has helped over 3,000 migrants, refugees, and community members secure formal employment, aided the recognition of hundreds of migrants’ professional degrees, and educated government officials on the value of integrating Venezuelan migrants into labor policies. Through EiM, Citi Foundation’s collaboration with USA for IOM is rebuilding livelihoods and fostering dignity for thousands of people, giving Venezuelan migrants and refugees the agency to drive positive socioeconomic change in their host communities.
USA for IOM is grateful to the Citi Foundation for its cornerstone investment in EiM. The relationship has set a successful precedent in international development for sustainable and impactful partnerships with the US private sector going forward.
EDUCATION AND EVENTS
"USA for IOM uses awareness-raising to expand knowledge of global priorities and create opportunities. By engaging communities across all ages, genders, and nationalities, USA for IOM spurs action and investment that lead to impact and innovation for migrants."
Summit of the Americas
USA for IOM launched Entrepreneurship in Movement at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. IOM Director General António Vitorino delivered the keynote address at the launch event and stressed the importance of entrepreneurship in creating long-term solutions for migrants through enhancing access to sustainable livelihoods and to build positive connections in their host communities. The official launch expands the partnership with Citi Foundation that began in 2019, providing economic opportunities and building social cohesion between migrants and host communities.
Global Classrooms DC
This is the fourth consecutive year USA for IOM supported Global Classrooms DC (GCDC). This year the flagship Model UN education program held its annual Model UN Conference in-person for the first time since 2019. USA for IOM provided guidance for students during the IOM committee simulation of the UN resolution process. This year, the discussion included the displacement of more than 7 million Venezuelan migrants globally as a way of understanding the challenges migrants face in accessing humanitarian aid. USA for IOM is honored to continue this partnership with the UNA-NCA and their dedicated investment in the next generation leaders.
