Mission and objectives

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It supports governments and migrants by offering services and policy guidance to ensure migration is managed safely, responsibly, and with dignity; contributing to development, humanitarian response, and the protection of human rights. In the Caribbean, migration has been central to shaping the region’s identity. From the tragedy of slavery to today’s vibrant diasporas and multi-generational migrant communities, mobility remains both a cornerstone of society and an enduring aspiration. Today, the region faces growing challenges such as climate change, demographic shifts, and labor shortages among them. Migration can serve as a vital tool to enhance resilience, foster inclusive development, and support effective governance. Composed largely of small island developing states (SIDS), the Caribbean has unique vulnerabilities. Economies are dependent on imports, tourism, and remittances, with populations clustered in coastal areas. This makes countries especially vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and sea level rise. Without stronger investment in preparedness and adaptation, the risk of displacement is likely to grow. At the same time, ageing populations and ongoing outward migration, especially to the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., are creating labor gaps in key sectors. While CARICOM’s intra-regional labor mobility offers solutions, attracting external labor may become necessary, marking a shift for a region traditionally seen as one of origin.

Context

When disaster strikes the Caribbean, the first wave of support often comes not from large institutions, but from communities — Caribbean diaspora groups in New York or Miami, churches organizing collection drives, local businesses loading trucks with supplies. This energy and generosity is real, but it is largely invisible to formal humanitarian coordinators. IOM and CDEMA co-lead the Caribbean Shelter Technical Working Group, coordinating NFI distributions, house repairs, and emergency shelter response across the region. This UNV assignment maps exactly that hidden network — identifying diaspora organizations, faith groups, businesses, and community initiatives that stepped up during recent emergencies like Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Melissa. The result is a practical database that helps IOM connect with the right partners before the next disaster, turning goodwill into coordinated, effective response.

Task Description

The volunteer will support IOM's Caribbean emergency response network by researching and compiling a structured database of organizations, communities, and businesses that have raised funds or collected essential household items for distribution during recent emergencies in the Caribbean. This mapping will help IOM identify and engage potential partners for future emergency response. The research focuses on organizations based in the United States and the Caribbean. This includes diaspora organizations such as Haitian, Jamaican, and Bahamian community groups in the United States, faith-based organizations like churches and temples with Caribbean outreach, neighbourhood associations and volunteer networks, businesses that donated goods or funded relief efforts, and online fundraising initiatives linked to specific emergencies. Through internet and AI-assisted research, the volunteer will identify organizations that visibly supported recent Caribbean emergencies such as Hurricane Beryl or Hurricane Melissa. For each organization found, the volunteer will collect the full name, type, location, contact details, geographic scope, activities undertaken such as funds raised or items collected, the specific emergency they responded to, and a source URL for verification. All information will be compiled in one clean, consolidated spreadsheet. The volunteer will also flag organizations that appear particularly active or well-connected, to support priority follow-up by the IOM coordinator.

Competencies and values

Living conditions and remarks