2017 ANNUAL REPORT “Migrants and refugees … do not arrive empty- handed. They bring their courage, skills, energy A WORD OF THANKS and aspirations, as well as the treasures of their FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL own cultures; and in this way, they enrich the lives of the nations that receive them.” In the course of the year 2017, specialized services around the world. Day in, day out, we at the International Catholic they fulfill the mandate to care for migrants and refugees Pope Francis Migration Commission found according to Catholic teaching. (November 2017) many reasons for concern but also for gratitude. I want to express my deep personal thanks and recognition to our staff, who gave the best of themselves It wasn’t an easy year for migrants for yet another year. I’ve met many of you and am deeply and refugees around the world. impressed by your competence and dedication to those Massive numbers of people whom we serve. were forced to flee their homes. Long-term displacement situations like that of Syrians I’d also like to wholeheartedly thank our faithful donors continued unabated. Broad responses were mobilized and supporters, both institutional and private. It is you in response to sudden-onset crises, like that of the who made possible the accomplishments reported in this Rohingya in Bangladesh, but much more was needed to publication. Your continued support allowed ICMC to guarantee both provision of emergency needs as well as put in place the programs and activities summarized in respect for human rights and international law. Horrific the following pages, while your trust encouraged us all – situations, including selling refugees and migrants into leaders, staff, and volunteers – to renew our commitment slavery while they were being held in Libyan prisons and every day. transit centers came into the spotlight. At the same time, And last but not least, I wish to recognize our partners in opportunities for refugee resettlement in third countries, civil society, international organizations and governments. long recognized as a durable solution for especially Our working together multiplies our strength. Our shared vulnerable and other refugees with special needs, were values and aspirations reaffirm our conviction that we can significantly reduced in several countries. achieve the vision of a world where the dignity and rights of people on the move are upheld. In the face of all these hardships affecting so many, ICMC continued delivering aid where it was sorely needed and At ICMC, we find constant inspiration and guidance in protecting and resettling the most vulnerable. We also the extraordinary leadership of Pope Francis. In February advocated tirelessly for just and equitable solutions that 2017, at a special audience I was privileged to attend, the respect the dignity and rights of migrants and refugees, Holy Father invited and indeed challenged both Catholics including throughout the development of the two and people of good will alike to welcome, protect, International Compacts – one on Migrants and the other promote and integrate migrants and refugees whatever on Refugees – proposed at the UN Summit for Refugees their status. and Migrants in September 2016. As we continue our efforts to make ICMC’s motto – For all this good work, I need to offer earnest words of Restoring Dignity, Inspiring Change – a worldwide reality, thanks on behalf of ICMC. let us keep in mind another recent appeal of Pope Francis that lies at the very heart of our vision: “All indicators I must start with Sir Peter Sutherland, who served as available to the international community suggest that global President of our organization between 2014 to April migration will continue in the future. Some consider this a 2017, when he found it necessary to resign because threat. For my part, I ask you to view it with confidence as an of serious illness; he subsequently died on 7 January opportunity to build peace.” 2018. Peter was an internationally recognized leader in the fields of business, trade, migration and integration of refugees and migrants in their host countries. We are deeply grateful to Peter for his legacy to ICMC: a renewed and strengthened dedication to our mission of Msgr. Robert J. Vitillo protecting and serving uprooted people wherever they are, regardless of their status. Secretary General, ICMC Particular gratitude also is due to the ICMC Governing You can follow Msgr. Vitillo on Twitter as@bobvitillo Syrian refugee siblings in Irbid, Jordan. One day “all of us will be smiling, nobody will be Committee, for their leadership and guidance, and to sad,” says one of them. Read more and watch the video at bit.ly/SyrianSiblings ICMC Member Catholic Bishops’ Conferences and their 2 INTERNATIONAL CATHOLIC MIGRATION COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2017 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT WE ACHIEVED TOGETHER 3,759 21,435 refugees – mainly vulnerable asylum-seekers from Iran, Iraq and Syria and refugees were housed in – departed to start a new life urban centers in Greece in the United States of America BRUSSELS GENEVA BOSTON WASHINGTON, D.C. 297,273 29,529 Afghan refugees in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of men, women and children Pakistan received legal services received life-saving and health care assistance amidst the ongoing conflict in Syria 2,014 67,242 vulnerable individuals in Kuala Lumpur, the Klang Syrian refugees and Valley and Penang, Malaysia, vulnerable Jordanians benefited from ICMC’s were assisted in Jordan protection services HQ & AFFILIATED OFFICES FIELD OFFICES DEPLOYED EXPERTS ADVOCATING FOR ADVOCATING FOR PROVIDING REFUGEE PROMOTING COORDINATING EMPOWERING RELIGIOUS MINORITIES STRENGTHENED RESETTLEMENT COMPLEMENTARY ADVOCACY FOR THE CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE USA REFUGEE PROTECTION OPPORTUNITIES ADMISSION PATHWAYS MIGRATION COMPACT ORGANIZATIONS ICMC U.S. Liaison Office ICMC advocated for More than 67,730 ICMC Europe advocated ICMC played a leading role 333 participants, including raised attention on the strengthened protection refugees were for resettlement and in coordinating advocacy 254 civil society delegates plight of religious minorities. at each of the thematic interviewed and assessed for other additional, complementary to UN Member States through and 121 migrants, refugees or Staff interviewed refugees, discussions of the Global resettlement by 159 ICMC admission channels to Europe, the New York-based civil society members of the diaspora coming including Bahai, Chaldeans, Syrian Compact on Refugees, calling for experts deployed to 66 duty notably community-based Action Committee as they began from 65 countries attended Catholics and Yazidis who fled responsibility-sharing mechanisms, stations in 39 countries. sponsorship models through developing the Global Compact the Civil Society Days of the religious persecution and resettled heightened child protection More than 3,580 children which people and organizations at on Migration. A key advocacy Global Forum on Migration and in the U.S. They spoke of their and taking the reality of mixed and their caregivers were a local level provide refugees with document outlined a bold vision Development in Berlin. successful integration migration flows into account. offered protection. practical and emotional support. for human mobility. and gratitude. 4 INTERNATIONAL CATHOLIC MIGRATION COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2017 5 GLOBAL POLICY AND ADVOCACY ICMC coordinated the preparation of In 2017, ICMC played a leading role in coordinating civil MARCH society advocacy to UN Member States as they began a key advocacy document outlining th developing two Global Compacts – one to ensure Safe, At the 34 session of the UN a bold civil society vision for the Human Rights Council, ICMC and Global Compact on Migration. Orderly and Regular Migration and one urging shared other faith-based organizations European and global gatherings responsibility for Refugees. deliver a statement prioritizing ensured that civil society advocacy protection of the most vulnerable With its mandate extended for two years following the uprooted people, especially played a core role in this Compact September 2016 UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants, unaccompanied children. ICMC process, while statements to high- the ICMC-initiated civil society Action Committee guided co-organizes a side event level meetings contributed to the addressing challenges faced by advocacy work and served as a bridge between the two children on the move alone. development of the Global Compact Compact processes. Its main focus in 2017 was the Compact on Refugees. for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. APRIL ICMC advocated for strengthened refugee protection at In a panel discussion at the each of the thematic discussions of the Global Compact International Dialogue on on Refugees. In so doing, it called for responsibility-sharing Migration, ICMC Secretary General emphasizes that the mechanisms such as resettlement, complementary admission Migration Compact needs an pathways, local integration and heightened child protection. approach similar to that of the Given the reality of mixed migration flows encountered by Sustainable Development Goals, ICMC, its members and partners in their field operations, with clear goals, targets, indicators ICMC called upon states to provide for interactive follow- and timeline. up when implementing the two Compacts. Such concrete actions should ensure that both refugees and migrants MAY benefit from protection and assistance that take into An ICMC statement at the account their needs and rights. first Thematic Session