The Information-Consultation Center of the Department of External Migration under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic (ICC) launched their newly re-designed website www.migrant.kg. The website was upgraded to include new features with support from USAID’s Safe Migration project.
Representatives of the media, government bodies, and civil society organizations attending the event, learned in detail about the new features of the website. This ICC interactive online platform allows a person to:
- Check personal data online whether an individual is included in the list of persons prohibited to enter the territory of the Russian Federation ("black list");
- Contact the operators of the ICC’s hotline from any part of the world, to obtain necessary advice on safe migration and assistance in situations of human trafficking, through all available channels such as WhatsApp, Telegram, online chat, telephone communication, and other messenger services;
- Obtain reliable information on legal and safe migration, including information on private employment agencies that have permission to recruit citizens to work abroad;
- Get access to information on the procedures for obtaining payment to cover expenses related to the repatriation of bodies of Kyrgyz citizens who have died abroad.
Noel Bauer, USAID Democracy and Governance Office Director, noted, “Not only will this portal help migrants to access important government services, but it will also help them protect themselves from human traffickers and unsafe and illegal migration schemes. Safe migration is our goal, and this is an important step towards that goal”.
The website was developed to create a user-friendly platform to support current and potential migrants, provide them with up-to-date information and advice on migration issues, and to promote a hotline service and other services provided by the ICC.
“Necessary information will be provided timely, new functions and online services will become available, including self-checking in the “black list”, which was previously possible only when visiting the ICC in person. There will be other useful services available for migrants”, said Kubandyk Akmatbekov, the ICC Director.
The launch was organized by the NGO Resource Center for the Elderly’s within their project "Strengthening the interaction of migrants, authorized state bodies, and public organizations aimed at the provision of necessary services to migrants of the Kyrgyz Republic," in partnership with ICC and with the support of the USAID "Safe Migration in Central Asia" activity implemented by Winrock International.
The USAID-funded Safe Migration in Central Asia project is implemented by Winrock International in four Central Asian countries. It is a five-year project that uses evidence-based practices and cross-border connections to strengthen the mutual accountability and effectiveness of governments, NGOs, and the private sector to prevent trafficking-in-persons, protect survivors, and promote safe migration. The project works in close cooperation with local governments, civil society, and the private sector to improve migration practices and prevent exploitation. More information is available on USAID Central Asia’s website.
