THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION ASSISTED VOLUNTARY RETURN AND REINTEGRATION (AVRR)- A BRIEF OVERVIEW Mark Getchell Regional Representative IOM Canberra

About Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Orderly, human and cost-effective return and reintegration of migrants who are unable or unwilling to remain in host countries and wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin Part of a comprehensive approach to migration management, which includes timely asylum adjudication, effective removals of irregular migrants, regular immigration options and accurate public information on those options. Voluntary Return Freedom of choice and informed decision Absence of coercion Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR)

IOM Policy on AVRR Safeguard migrants’ dignity and rights Ensure migrants have access to protection and refugee determination mechanisms Preserve the integrity of regular migration structures and asylum procedures; Enhance cooperation between origin, transit & host countries Promote comprehensive voluntary return approaches, inclusive of post-return reintegration assistance Address the root causes underlying irregular

Principles of AVRR Assistance Return must be voluntary –Fully informed decision without coercion Possibility for the migrant to change his/her mind Travel documents & immigration records devoid of any reference to deportation procedures No deportation procedures have been initiated –Applicants not in receipt of a deportation order

Beneficiaries of AVRR Asylum seekers who, having claimed asylum, subsequently choose not to pursue their asylum claim; Persons whose asylum claim has been rejected; Migrants in an irregular situation; Persons with refugee status, or enjoying temporary protected status, who choose to return home; Victims of trafficking; Any person with legal status in the host country, but without means to return home (including e.g. stranded persons, and students); Labour migrants at the end of their contracts; Persons in emergency situations, requiring rapid return assistance.

Types of AVRR programmes AVRRs have been operating close to three decades now beginning with the German REAG programme At present, IOM operates more than 30 AVRR regular programmes and some 100 projects world-wide IOM operates three types of AVRR programmes a)General return assistance for irregular migrants, unsuccessful asylum seekers, refugees and others wishing to return to their home country b)Specific return and reintegration assistance tailored to the needs of certain groups (vulnerable, skilled nationals etc) c)Assistance to migrants stranded in transit countries

AVRR Activities Worldwide IOM facilitates voluntary returns of migrants worldwide. From alone, IOM provided assistance to over 126,000 returning migrants

Three Components of AVR Pre-Departure Outreach, Information & Counselling Information on the country of origin Health assessment & health care provision; family tracing for unaccompanied minors Travel preparation (passports, visa/stamps assistance, escort, shelter, medical assistance) Return-Transportation Travel arrangements; assistance at embarkation Payment of installation grant/pocket money (if applicable) Transit assistancePost-Return Reception, information & counselling Socio-economic reinsertion & reintegration support – referrals & monitoring Referral to medical care and service providers

Key Features of AVRR Migrants: Takes into account migrant’s decision Ensures respect for human rights Avoids stigma of forced return & negative repercussions for reintegration Provides counselling, financial and/or logistical and reintegration support Governments Governments: Generally more cost effective Politically palatable Enhanced cooperation between countries Countries of Origin: Ensures the rights and dignity of their nationals May include reintegration assistance for individuals and/or their communities

Statistical Overview (1) Returns by Region (Emigrating Region) Returns by Region (Immigrating Region) **Data reflects 2009 statistics

Statistical Overview (2) **Data reflects 2009 statistics

REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE

Reintegration Overview Reintegration assistance tailored to individual needs- a one size fits all approach is not most effective Key tools for facilitating reintegration assistance include - information on conditions in country - socio economic profiling of returnees - post return monitoring Reintegration assistance should not only be directed at the migrants but also assist in wider context the community affected by the return Rehabilitation of the Thi Al Norain Primary School for Girls / Kirkuk Governorate

Types of AssistanceDescription Reintegration allowances consists of cash grants (pre departure/post arrival) Temporary Reception Arrangements Can range from a few weeks to a few months accommodation Micro/Small Business Development Provision of credit/grants to start small business Community Assistance Building of schools, hospitals, training facilities, etc Institutional Approach Promotion of self employment/on the job training Socio Economic Assistance Consist of assistance in kind (education, business set up, training)

The Impact of Reintegration Assistance Contributes to a sustainable return Contributes to broader economic development Critical in post-conflict situations Provides support in reconstruction and rehabilitation Allows for effective evaluation and monitoring of returnees Contributes to capacity building of partner NGOs and institutions in countries of return Allows for cooperation amongst all actors

Tailoring return and reintegration assistance policies Tailoring return and reintegration programmes to country specific circumstances Adapting return and reintegration procedures to vulnerable groups Roles of possible contributions of countries of origin, transit and destination key in return migration management The need to develop partnerships to make effective return policies and practices Dealing with capacity issues in countries of origin and transit (i.e large numbers, post conflict situations, vulnerable migrants etc)

AVRR support for vulnerable groups Tailored assistance to vulnerable groups –UAMs –Returnees with health needs –Victims of trafficking –Single headed family with minors –Elderly –Minorities

Afghan support packages Type of business# business Grocery shop171 Taxi car127 Animal husbandry82 Fabrics selling shop50 Cloth business30 Tractor31 Auto spare parts36 Mobile Phone selling shop18 Construction material store14 Cement selling14 IOM has assisted over 7,600 Afghans with their returns, approximately 2,500 of whom received individually tailored reintegration assistance packages. Over 70 different individualized packages developed. These represent the 10 most popular businesses

The recently completed temporary accommodation center in Kabul increases the government’s capacity to manage return migration through offering shelter and immediate protection to the returnees in need of assistance. The facility can accommodate individuals at one time. IOM Afghanistan

AVR Iraq

IOM Iraq AVRR

IOM Iraq

IOM INDONESIA ASSISTED VOLUNTARY RETURN BY CITIZENSHIIP TOTAL 2010 TOTAL 2009 GRAND TOTAL ( ) AFGHANISTAN ANGOLA0 4 BANGLADESH5 7 CAMBODIA2 4 EGYPT0 1 INDIA0 4 IRAN IRAQ1 92 JORDAN0 20 MAROCCO0 1 NEPAL0 15 PAKISTAN SAUDI ARABIA0 2 SIERRA LEONE2 4 SOMALIA0 1 SRI LANKA SYRIA0 4 THAILAND0 1 TURKEY0 17 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES0 2 VIETNAM YEMEN0 3 Totals

Thank You International Organization for Migration 17 Route des Morillons CH-1211 Geneva 19 - Switzerland