Description

Flow Monitoring activities are meant to collect data on population movements at points strategically selected inside a country, a region or across different regions.

The data collected through the Flow Monitoring exercises provide an improved understanding of trends, paths and patterns of migratory movements in countries or regions with high migration flows.

Wherever possible, it is recommended to implement Flow Monitoring activities as per the three following steps (described below):

- High Mobility location assessment;

- Flow Monitoring Registry; and

- Flow Monitoring Survey.

The flow monitoring point (FMP) baseline assessment collect information about the locations and types of flow monitoring points (FMPs). It also captures information on general movement trends, locations of origin and destination, vulnerabilities, basic humanitarian needs and modes of transport.

Step 1: High Mobility Location Assessment

The High Mobility Location Assessment aims at identifying locations to set up FMPs. It is implemented in two steps. The first step, at the national level, consists of identifying high mobility areas in coordination with the concerned authorities and humanitarian partners. This exercise is usually done through participatory mapping with key informants. The second step, at the local level, consists of conducting field assessments in each of the areas identified in order to collect further information and decide on the localization of the FMPs. This step is carried-out by the DTM teams in close coordination with the partners in the field.

Step 2: Flow Monitoring Registry

The Flow Monitoring Registry aims at collecting estimates regarding the volume and basic characteristics of the migrant population transiting through FMPs. The modality of data collection and the type of data collected through the FMR will vary depending on the context and the resources available.

Step 3: Flow Monitoring Survey

The Flow Monitoring Survey aims at collecting detailed information on population flows. It consists of collecting data at individual level and includes information on the basic socio-economic profile of the individual, information on the journey (costs, routes, modes of transport, intermediaries) as well as some basic data on the intentions, expectations and perceptions of the individual. FMS can also include additional modules on counter-trafficking and voluntary return and reintegration. FMS are conducted on a sample of the populations captured at the Flow Monitoring Points.

Examples from the field

One form of flow monitoring which has been conducted in South Sudan is gate traffic monitoring, where people entering or leaving a camp are counted. For example, Malakal town in South Sudan, after being ravaged by inter-tribal conflict in late 2013 and early 2014, was abandoned as many fled to Juba and Khartoum while others sought refuge in the UN compound. By mid-2014, a relative calm encouraged traders to open the market. This triggered movement in and out of the Protection of Civilians (PoC), making it difficult to keep track of the caseload of IDPs in town. Through gate traffic monitoring, which estimated the total number people leaving and entering the PoC on a daily basis, partners managed to deduce the estimated caseload outside.

The Flow Monitoring component is also used to better understand the migration dynamics in the East and Horn of Africa and capture the complexity of the mixed population flows in the region. Flow Monitoring activities are currently ongoing in Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.

Flow Monitoring is also deployed across multiple countries in West and Central Africa, where it captures migration trends in the region and gathers information on migrants transiting through FMPs. Flow Monitoring activities are currently ongoing in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Senegal, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Mali.

In addition, FMPs have been set up in a number of European countries, where DTM teams seek to better capture migration flows and patterns to Europe. Thematic Flow Monitoring Surveys conducted at FMPs provide a more in-depth understanding on a specific topic, such as the vulnerability of migrants to abuse and exploitation or a more detailed profile of migrants of particular nationalities. For more information on DTM Europe's Flow Monitoring response, see: https://migration.iom.int/europe/arrivals.

Flow monitoring has been the main tool used for monitoring the migrant flows for the Venezuela migrant response across the 17 countries of the Interagency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants (R4V).

Contacts

For more information, please contact the DTM Support Team: DTMSupport@iom.int.