The Philippine Red Cross organized Migration Lessons Learnt Workshop for Mindanao Returnees operation from 19-20 July 2017 in Manila, the Philippines with the support of IFRC. It was attended by 31 participants (15 females, 16 males), consisting of Philippine Red Cross National Headquarters and chapter staff and volunteers, Partner National Societies and the IFRC.

Background

Since 15 February 2017, there has been a rapid increase in the number of Filipino returnees from the state of Sabah in Malaysia arriving in Zamboanga City, Mindanao. While repatriations were procedural and common prior to the increase, the sinking of a vessel that previously transported the returnees prompted suspension of the exercise in September 2016. The suspension of repatriations led to a backlog of approximately 7,000 undocumented Filipino migrants in Sabah.

As of 31 May, a total of 2,382 returnees have arrived since the exercise started on 15 February.  More returnees are expected to arrive in the city over the next weeks in line with an agreement reached by Philippine and Malaysian governments in November 2016 to clear the backlog.

The PRC has been complementing the efforts and assistance being provided by the public authorities. PRC is providing services to support returnees in terms of improving their health, safety and welfare. The support by PRC is being provided on one-off basis in view of the scale of returnees’ needs following the backlog of repatriations. Under normal circumstance, the National Society does not engage in providing welfare services to returnees in routine repatriations.

Specific Objectives:

1. To present the progress of the Returnee Operation in – Zamboanga City, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
2. To share good practices or strategies undertaken by different chapters in resolving context specific challenges.
3. To understand migration in Asia and the Pacific and changing face of migration in the Philippines.
4. To acknowledge achievements and discuss key challenges faced during response coordination in the affected areas (Zamboanga etc.)
5. To generate recommendations to improve current systems and response mechanisms depending on the context.
6. To learn from other similar operations (e.g. from Myanmar), strengthen existing partnerships and develop new partnerships.
7. To have better preparedness in relation to address specific needs of migrants in relation to Health, Gender, Protection etc.

Expected Outcome/Results/Deliveries:

1. Workshop proceedings/ documentation report
2. Documented case studies
3. Overview of the operations – highlighting the key strengths and weaknesses
4. Identifying capacity development areas based on lesson learned
5. Agree on priority recommendations from the lesson learned
6. Importance of Operational and Coordination Support
7. Cross-cutting Issues

The agenda and proceedings are available in the report.